The Band of Brothers group, an Israeli naval reservist group, blockaded the port of Haifa, joining the ongoing protests in the country. According to The Times of Israel, several high-ranking retired naval officers are participating in the action. “Under a dictatorship, the sea is closed,” the group said.
“We have decided to suspend operations at the port of Haifa to clearly urge the Israeli government to stop uncontrolled sailing that will lead to the state of Israel running aground,” the Band of Brothers explained their motives. Judging by the photo and video materials from the port of Haifa, sailors block it on small sailing ships and boats.
Meanwhile, in Tel Aviv, protesters against judicial reform blocked the Ayalon highway, but the police dispersed them. At least 15 people were arrested for disturbing the peace. In the morning, Ben Gurion Airport was blocked for some time, where Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. Earlier, several dozen Israeli Air Force pilots boycotted the exercises.
Protests involving tens of thousands of people have been ongoing in Israel since mid-February, when the Knesset passed on first reading two bills that imply the de facto subordination of the system for selecting Supreme Court judges to the government. In addition, it is planned to deprive the Armed Forces of the authority to change the main (constitutional) laws or their paragraphs if they conflict with the already adopted constitutional legislation.
