Right-wing activists again rally outside home of Arab Israeli anchor Lucy Aharish

1 detained as provocateurs turn up at Tel Aviv building for 3rd time within a week, police arrive shortly afterwards to move them away; demonstrator vows action will continue

Several right-wing activists demonstrated on Tuesday night outside the Tel Aviv apartment building of Arab Israeli news anchor Lucy Aharish, shouting at her with a megaphone.

It marked the third time within a week that activists have staged demonstrations at Aharish’s home, following similar events on Saturday and last Wednesday.

Days ago, Aharish said that the activists were Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s “goons” and warned in a monologue on her Channel 13 show that “the blood is on the hands of whoever was silent” if anything were to  happen to her, her family or other journalists.

The activists shouted on Tuesday, “The right is done playing games. We will come back here every week.”

According to reports, the police arrived within minutes to move the demonstrators away, detaining right-wing activist Ziv Baranes.

Baranes vowed that if authorities issue restraining orders, then even more activists will turn up to demonstrate, the Haaretz newspaper reported.

Unlike the protest on Saturday, the activists did not approach the door to Aharish’s apartment but remained outside the building, according to Channel 12.

Prominent activist Mordechai David, who has been issued a restraining order against approaching the building, did not participate, but did later go to the police station, saying in a video he recorded from outside that he was there to show support.

David, who has repeatedly harassed government critics and has received overt support from ministers, applauded the incident, calling the activists “heroes,” though stressing, “of course, I didn’t send anyone. The right is waking up.”

In the video, which he posted to social media, David also vowed that if activists are issued restraining orders, many more will come to fill their places. “What will you do? You can’t do anything.”

On Saturday, David and a fellow activist, named by Hebrew media as Likud activist Rami Ben-Yehuda, were detained by police for trespassing and disturbing the peace after they entered the apartment complex with a megaphone.

David was captured on video arguing with Aharish’s partner, “Fauda” star Tsahi Halevi, outside the building. Footage showed Halevi saying: “You’ve come to my home? Where do you want this to go?”

David and Ben-Yehuda were later barred from approaching Aharish’s home or contacting her for a period of 14 days.

Aharish raised the ire of the right-wing as a critic of the government and an Arab woman with a Jewish partner. Her detractors were riled further when she delivered a February 1 television monologue panning the coalition over its response, or lack thereof, to a wave of deadly violence sweeping the Arab community.

Arab citizens, she said, in the next elections will “flock to the voting booths” to bring a change in government, and added the Arabic word “Inshallah,” meaning “God willing.”

Amid outcry over the protests, journalists took to social media platforms to recall the actions of Aharish and Halevi on October 7, 2023.

Halevi, who served hundreds of days in reserve duty over the past two years, fought in border communities amid the Hamas-led onslaught, and is widely credited with saving dozens of lives. Aharish, who due to her high-profile position received multiple pleas for help from those trapped during the attack, helped direct forces to reach and rescue them.

The Peres Center for Peace and Innovation on Monday presented Aharish with its “Medal of Distinction” as it honored her and other women seen as breaking barriers.

“I will not bow my head to racists and bullies,” she vowed as she accepted the honor.