Three people were arrested after a violent riot by far-right protesters outside a Reform synagogue in Ra’anana on Tuesday evening. The disruption targeted a screening of the annual joint Israeli-Palestinian Memorial Day ceremony, held by peace groups Combatants for Peace and the Parents Circle – Families Forum.
Around 200 demonstrators gathered outside Beit Samueli synagogue, where about 80 attendees had come to watch the live-streamed event. Protesters threw firecrackers and objects, forced entry, and assaulted attendees. Four police officers and three participants sustained minor injuries.
Despite prior warnings to police about potential disruptions, only a small number of officers were initially dispatched. Witnesses said police were overwhelmed until reinforcements arrived. Attendees were eventually evacuated under police protection. Some described being spat on, kicked, and pelted with stones. A woman wearing a hijab was attacked while driving past, and a Reform leader was hospitalized after her car was assaulted.
Footage and eyewitness accounts revealed demonstrators chanting hate slogans, calling attendees “Nazis” and “terror supporters.” Labor MK and Reform Rabbi Gilad Kariv called the attack “an attempted pogrom,” blaming rising far-right incitement. The local Likud branch head praised the protest and warned more actions would follow.
Despite the violence, organizers said the event continued. “They didn’t manage to ruin it,” one attendee said.
The ceremony, held annually for two decades, commemorates lives lost on both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Organizers vowed to continue their work for peace, condemning the use of violence to silence dialogue and reconciliation.
Police have launched an investigation and are considering extending the suspects’ detention.
