Activist Faces Charges for Blocking Humanitarian Aid Trucks to Gaza at Ashdod Port

Reut Ben Haim, chairwoman of the civil movement "Tzav 9," was indicted on Tuesday for obstructing humanitarian aid trucks destined for the Gaza Strip. Approximately a year ago, Ben Haim and other activists from the movement blocked a road near the Ashdod port in southern Israel, preventing the entry of aid trucks into Gaza. According to the indictment, Ben Haim sat on the road and refused police orders to clear the area. She is charged with interfering with a police officer performing their duties and causing a public disturbance likely to disrupt public order.

Following the indictment, Ben Haim told Walla News that the charge relates to blocking a single aid truck at Ashdod port about a year ago and that the accusation is interference with police duties. She emphasized that there was no violence and that the protest was peaceful and lawful, exercising their democratic right to demonstrate. Ben Haim expressed surprise at the indictment and questioned the claim that they disrupted public peace, asking, "Where is the peace?"