Israeli police arrested more than 20 antiwar protesters Saturday night, despite broad popular support for the war. Police determined that the protests violated the Home Front Command’s rule to limit gatherings to 50 people.

The protest marked the largest since weekly antiwar protests began, with hundreds pouring into the streets of Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa and Beersheba. Police arrested 13 protesters in Tel Aviv and eight in Haifa.

“During a situation assessment that took place at the scene with a Home Front Command representative … it was clarified that there was a real risk to human life and accordingly, Yarkon [precinct] police commander Tzachi Sharabi ordered the gathering to be dispersed,” police said.

Arab lawmaker Ayman Odeh, chairman of the political party Hadash-Ta’al, blasted the police response, calling the responding officers fascists “in the service of the government” who fear “the heroic citizens who went out, despite everything, to make their voice heard.”

Nevertheless, support for Operation Roaring Lion remains widespread, with 87 percent support on the right and about half on the left, according to a March 2026 survey by the Israel Democracy Institute. The survey also found that most respondents, both Arab and Jewish, were surprised by Iran’s resilience. While most Jews viewed Netanyahu’s considerations for the war as security related, most Arabs said they were politically motivated.