Thousands of people demonstrated at three main rallies across the country, in Tel Aviv at Habima Square, in Haifa near the Horev Center, and in Jerusalem at Paris Square.

The police arrested at least 18 people during protests on Saturday night against the war with Iran, as they had to use force to break up the demonstrations in several major cities.

Thousands of people demonstrated at three main rallies across the country, in Tel Aviv at Habima Square, in Haifa near the Horev Center, and in Jerusalem at Paris Square.

This is the first time that anti-government organizations participated in protests against the war, after smaller demonstrations were earlier held by far-left groups.

The protests, under the title “For the lives of all of us,” were organized by the Peace Partnership coalition, initiated by former leftist MKs and activists.

In addition to the anti-war protests, parts of the demonstrations protested against the government’s proposed judicial reform.

The largest number of arrests was made in Tel Aviv.

Demonstrators block Haifa roads

Media reports said that police officers pushed Hadash MK Ayman Odeh at the Haifa protest, though this could not be confirmed.

During the protest in the northern city, people began to block the road and disobey police instructions.

The police said they consider the right to protest a cornerstone in a democratic country, and allow protests as long as they are held within the framework of the law.

However, they said, it will not allow any kind of disorder, violation of freedom of movement, or any behavior that may endanger public safety.”

The Peace Partnership coalition said in response to police attempts to disperse the demonstration in Tel Aviv: “It is impossible to use Home Front Command guidelines as an excuse to silence political protest. When the police often turn a blind eye to nationalist violence, serious crime, and violent events in the West Bank, but use force against demonstrators and signs, it is difficult not to see this as selective enforcement and dangerous to democracy. Police in a democracy should protect the right to demonstrate, not be afraid of it.”

The Standing Together movement, which helped organize the demonstrations, also condemned the police’s behavior.

“The Basij forces [in Iran] were ordered to make arrests and silence them. Dozens of protest and peace organizations joined forces this week for the first time since the start of the war in Iran, to raise their voices against [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu’s eternal war... We will not give in.... The protest against the war and the government will grow.”