85 arrested in Tel Aviv’s “social protest”June 24, 2012 - 16:28 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Eighty-five people were arrested in Tel Aviv overnight after scuffles between demonstrators and security forces following the detention of a social protest leader, police said on Sunday, June 24, according to AFP. The unrest broke out in reaction to incidents during a small rally on Friday, when police arrested Dafni Leef, one of the leaders of the social protest movement that rocked Israel in summer last year. "The protesters carried out acts of vandalism, blocked the Tel Aviv ring road and refused to disperse," police spokeswoman Luba Samri told AFP, also accusing participants in Saturday's demonstration of breaking shop windows. An AFP photographer who saw several scuffles between police and protestors on Saturday said at least one demonstrator had a bloody face. The Saturday demonstration came after police broke up a Friday rally, as protesters tried to set up tents in Tel Aviv's Rothschild Boulevard, the posh avenue that became the heart of last year's social protest movement. The demonstration on Saturday attracted thousands of people, who accused police of using excessive force to prevent protesters from establishing a new protest tent city and in arresting Leef. Samri said those arrested on Saturday night remained in custody while police decided whether or not to charge them. The Israeli social movement erupted after youths angry at the cost of housing in Tel Aviv pitched tents in the middle of Rothschild Boulevard to express their frustration. The tent protest quickly mushroomed, with dozens of similar encampments sprouting in towns and cities across the country. It won widespread support, sparking weekly demonstrations that eventually attracted hundreds of thousands, breaking records in Israeli and drawing extensive media coverage. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. |