Two Flares Fired at Israeli PM Netanyahu’s Residence: "A Serious Incident," Says Police

Sunday 17 November 2024 - 13:00

By: ELMIR Barae

Two Flares Fired at Israeli PM Netanyahu’s Residence: "A Serious Incident," Says Police

Israeli police have described the firing of two flares toward the private residence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a “serious incident” and a “dangerous escalation.” The incident occurred on the evening of Saturday, November 16, 2024, in Caesarea, central Israel.

Netanyahu was not at home during the attack, which left two flares landing in the courtyard of his residence. By Sunday morning, the police and Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security agency, announced the arrest of three suspects. No details regarding the suspects’ identities or motivations have been disclosed, and a court order has banned the publication of any further information about the investigation for 30 days.

Rising Tensions Amid Protests and Political Divide

The attack comes amid ongoing tensions in Israel, exacerbated by political discord over the controversial judicial reforms proposed by Netanyahu’s government in 2023. The reforms, which critics claim undermine judicial independence, have sparked one of the largest protest movements in Israel’s history, now known as the "anti-Bibi" movement.

Speaker of the Knesset Amir Ohana blamed the protests for fostering a hostile environment that led to the attack. “The writing was on the walls, in the streets, and in inflammatory messages,” he said on X (formerly Twitter).

President Isaac Herzog also condemned the incident, warning of “an escalation of violence in the public sphere.”

A Pattern of Security Threats

This is not the first security breach targeting Netanyahu’s Caesarea residence. On October 22, 2024, a Hezbollah drone strike targeted the property, causing minor damage. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for the attack, heightening regional tensions amid the ongoing conflict with Palestinian factions.

The flares incident underscores the volatile intersection of internal unrest and external threats in Israel, as the country grapples with profound political and social divisions.