Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir warns he will enforce new protest rules within five days if the Attorney General does not approve them.
National Security Minister MK Itamar Ben-Gvir on Thursday published a new policy framework aimed at tightening police procedure during demonstrations, particularly on the issue of roadblocks.
The document, already submitted to Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara months ago but still awaiting a response, lays out a strict set of rules for protest organizers and police commanders. Chief among them: critical routes must remain open at all times.
The policy explicitly prohibits the closure of:
- Hospital access roads
- Emergency response routes
- Roads to Ben Gurion International Airport
- Roads whose blockage would isolate communities
- National highways, regional routes, and freeways
It further bans placing or throwing objects on roads during demonstrations, citing the danger to both protesters and the public.
Ben-Gvir stressed that if the Attorney General does not respond within five days, he will implement the policy unilaterally. “Freedom of expression and protest is important, but not at the expense of human lives and public security. Main roads, hospital access roads, and emergency routes can’t be blocked, causing a real danger to citizens,” he said.
The minister argued that his plan strikes the correct balance: “This policy balances the right to protest and the police’s obligation to protect freedom of movement, public order, and Israel’s security.”
The move is expected to spark intense political and legal debate, as it touches on Israel’s most contested fault line: the balance between civil liberties and national security.
