Anti-judiciary plan demonstrators attacked at Israel hotel during minister visit

Demonstrators were "beaten" by hotel workers in Israel on Monday as they protested the Netanyahu government’s judicial overhaul plan, Israeli media reported.

Holding Israeli flags, placards and speakerphones, the protesters went to the Pastoral Hotel in the Kfar Blum settlement in northern Israel, where Economy Minister Nir Barkat was scheduled to speak at a conference.

Videos went viral on social media showing the hotel’s employees allegedly violently manhandling the protesters.

Five employees were later arrested.

מפגינים הותקפו באלימות במלון בכפר בלום במהלך מחאה מול ניר ברקת.

"נכנסנו למלון להפגין, אנשי המלון ניסוי להוציא אותנו בצעקות והזמינו מספר עובדים צעירים שזרקו עלינו כסאות ודחפו אותנו באלימות"

דווחו ל https://t.co/gVtMZVuLVn pic.twitter.com/FzwGiwovBE

— אלימות ישראל (@Alimut_Israel) May 15, 2023

תקיפת המפגינים במלון בכפר בלום - זווית נוספת pic.twitter.com/ypPiCE8iMM

— אלימות ישראל (@Alimut_Israel) May 15, 2023

A statement issued by the hotel said that its workers were preparing for Barkat's arrival "when a group of protesters broke into the conference hall in what quickly escalated as they felt threatened", adding that they were "shocked" by the incident, as quoted by Haaretz.

Quoting a source close to Barkat, Haaretz said the minister arrived at the hotel with his security team as the protesters surrounded him "to the extent he felt threatened".

"The source further said that Barkat entered the dining room where he was about to meet with heads of local municipalities when the protesters tried to reach him. At some point the protesters started to push the [hotel] workers and the situation escalated," the publication added.

Tens of thousands of Israelis have continued to protest for weeks in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and other cities against controversial planned legislation by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right coalition government which would see the country's highest court stripped of much of its powers.

Israelis remain polarised over the planned legislation that proponents say would restore balance to Israeli authorities and critics say removes checks on those in power.

Recent polls have found the overhaul plans are deeply unpopular.