President Reuven Rivlin warned Wednesday that the volatile public atmosphere seen in the string of anti-government protests over the past few weeks is so serious, it makes one believe that Israel could experience another politically motivated assassination.
"I want to say clearly, given the recent violent developments: The murder of a demonstrator who goes to protest in Israel, or the murder of a prime minister, are not imaginary scenarios," Rivlin said. "God help our democracy if people start to kill each other."
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Mass protests across from the Prime Minister's Residence in Jerusalem, and in Tel Aviv and other cities across Israel, have been growing increasingly violent.
Police and rioting protesters have been clashing more frequently, and on Tuesday, three protesters were attacked by rival demonstrators in Jerusalem, in an incident widely condemned by officials from across the political spectrum.
The growing calls by demonstrators protesting what they believe is the government's mishandling of the coronavirus crisis and the corruption cases involving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have included threats to the PM and his family, prompting several ministers to warn that Israel could be facing another nightmare scenario.
Interior Minister Aryeh Deri has warned that the growing incitement against Netanyahu "could herald a catastrophe." Public Security Minister Amir Ohana said that unless the "atmosphere of hate" is checked, he fears "eventually, there will be blood."
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