Security Forces Warn of Potential 'Trump-Style' Attack on Knesset
Translated & summarized from Cursorinfo by baba
Israeli security officials are concerned about a potential "Trump-style" attack on the Knesset by right-wing activists aiming to disrupt the new parliament's opening and speaker election. Thousands of police and Shin Bet agents are preparing a response plan, while a former officials' forum warns of potential clashes and violence. Hundreds to 1,500 activists, possibly armed, may attempt to block lawmakers' entry, posing a significant challenge to security forces.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Israeli security officials warn of a potential "Trump-style" attack on the Knesset.
- Right-wing activists may attempt to disrupt the opening of the new Knesset and speaker election.
- Thousands of police and Shin Bet agents are preparing a contingency plan for the event.
- A former officials' forum warns of potential clashes between opposing protest groups.
- Hundreds to 1,500 activists, possibly armed, may attempt to block lawmakers' entry.
- The disruption attempt is compared to the January 6th US Capitol riot.
Israeli security officials have warned of a potential attempt to storm the Knesset, drawing parallels to the January 6th Capitol riot in the United States. The concern is that right-wing activists might try to disrupt the opening session of the new Knesset and the election of its speaker, mirroring the events of 2021 when supporters of Donald Trump contested his election defeat. The newspaper Maariv reported that police, the Shin Bet security agency, and Knesset security have developed a contingency plan.
Thousands of police and Shin Bet personnel are slated to be deployed around the parliament and on access roads if the plan is fully implemented. A group called the "Shield of Democracy" forum, comprising 168 former senior military, police, Mossad, and Shin Bet officials, sent a letter warning that social media discussions indicate opponents of the speaker's election intend to block lawmakers and their families from entering the building on the day of the swearing-in ceremony. The forum stated that organizers are calling for tens of thousands of supporters to join them.
Conversely, the "Shield of Democracy" also noted calls for counter-protests to ensure lawmakers can access the Knesset and prevent disruption. The former officials cautioned that holding the ceremony late would be a "serious blow to democracy" and that clashes between opposing groups could lead to mass casualties. They urged security forces to ensure a significant presence to guarantee the ceremony proceeds unimpeded and to prevent violence.
One forum participant estimated that between hundreds and 1,500 right-wing activists, possibly armed, might attempt to disrupt the proceedings. A former senior security official called on the police and Shin Bet to preemptively deploy forces on roads leading to the Knesset to prevent potential riots. This comes as Israelis recently voted in parliamentary elections for the 26th Knesset, with the vote held on schedule for the first time in 38 years.
