Posters of hostages kidnapped during the deadly October 7 attack were displayed on chairs at a protest camp near Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Jerusalem residence on November 13, 2024. — Reuters
Israeli police reported on Sunday that three suspects were arrested after two flares landed near Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in the central town of Caesarea. 'Three suspects were arrested overnight for their involvement in the incident' on Saturday evening, the police stated in a release, noting that the suspects would be jointly interrogated with the Shin Bet internal security agency. The statement also mentioned that a court had imposed a 30-day gag order on publishing any details of the investigation or the suspects' identities. Two flares landed near Netanyahu's residence in Caesarea late on Saturday, which Shin Bet deemed a 'serious incident', although the prime minister was not at home at the time. Parliament speaker Amir Ohana accused anti-government protesters of orchestrating the incident, stating, 'The writing was on the walls, on the streets, in incendiary messages and in demonstrations,' referring to the regular anti-government protests that began in early 2023. Former war cabinet member and opposition figure Benny Gantz wrote on X: 'If the suspicions are true and activists are behind the firing of flares at the premier's residence, it should be said clearly: this is not protest, this is terrorism.' Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar described it as 'a very serious incident that is far from a legitimate protest' and added, 'We will not accept any violent activity against the symbols of the state. Each case will be treated with the utmost severity.' Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Yariv Levin accused the perpetrators of 'seeking to dismantle the country from within.' In the nine months leading up to the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, Israel experienced mass protests over a divisive judicial overhaul introduced by Netanyahu's far-right government, which opponents deemed a threat to Israeli democracy. Despite the reforms being suspended due to the Gaza war, protests against Netanyahu and his government have persisted, alongside demonstrations calling for a deal to release hostages held in the Palestinian territory. Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned Saturday's incident and cautioned 'against an increase in violence in the public sphere.' This incident follows a drone attack targeting the same residence on October 19, which was later claimed by Hezbollah. It occurred after Israel intensified its bombing of Hezbollah targets in Lebanon and subsequently deployed ground troops to combat the Iran-backed militant group. At the time, Netanyahu accused Hezbollah of attempting to assassinate him and his wife.
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