Leftists noticed Economy Minister Nir Barkat (Likud) eating at a restaurant in Tel Aviv on Thursday evening and launched a protest against him.

About ten people were involved in the protest and some of them tried to physically attack Barkat as he left the restaurant and walked to his car. Police officers who were called to the scene protected him from the assailants and one of the officers was shoved to the ground, causing his ankle to break.

The police spokesperson stated: “Israel Police received a report of about ten protesters who came to a restaurant on Rosenblum Street in Tel Aviv where the Economy Minister was. During the removal of the protesters from the scene, the police were attacked and two were detained for questioning. One of the officers was lightly injured and taken for the hospital for treatment.”

According to media reports, the two people who were arrested were twin brothers. They were released shortly later without any restrictive conditions.

Minister Barkat’s office stated: “Minister Nir Barkat and his staff were violently attacked a short time ago as he was on his way to his car in Tel Aviv. A number of rioters physically confronted the minister’s security guards and police officers while trying to reach him and hurt him. The minister’s security guards and police officers protected him with their bodies. The rioters attacked the police officers violently and one officer was taken by ambulance to receive medical treatment at a hospital. Several attackers were arrested by the police officers on the spot.”

Barkat responded to the incident: “There is no excuse for violence. Violence erodes the foundation of democracy and may lead to the destruction of the country and our transformation into a country without law and order. I send my wishes for a speedy recovery to the police officer who was injured and was taken to the hospital. Everyone has the right to demonstrate but no one has the right to act violently.”

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)