A 27-year-old woman was briefly jailed on Friday for throwing sand at Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir on a beach in Tel Aviv.
Noa Goldenberg was imprisoned in the Neve Tirtza Women’s Prison in Ramla. The Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court ordered her release from jail to a two-day house arrest after hearing the case on Saturday night.
Judge Menachem (Mario) Klein ruled that Goldenberg will post bail and be prohibited from contacting Ben-Gvir for 30 days.
“It is true that after the destruction of the Temple, it was determined that the prophecy has been given to fools, but a few months before the Islamo-Nazi attack on the communities surrounding Gaza, I warned that if ‘we do not depend on each other, we will end up hanging next to one another.’ It is hoped that this time my words will be heard and taken into consideration by everyone,” the judge wrote at the end of his ruling.
Israel National News quoted Noa’s mother, Sharon Goldenberg, as saying after the ruling: “I am glad that the judge listened to the position of attorney Nir Alfasa, who did an excellent job.
“My daughter, Noa, is coming home. Justice prevailed, there was no justification for this arrest. Thanks to the people from all over the country who called, to the Knesset members, not to the ministers. Everyone who helped—a lot of people helped us, and this happened thanks to the support of everyone here. May democracy win. I’m waiting for when I get to hug her.”
Police said they were “taking the offense of assaulting a public servant extremely seriously and working to bring the suspect to justice.”
Goldenberg’s mother posted a picture of her in a holding cell at a Tel Aviv police station prior to her being moved to Ramla.
“The dictatorship’s police chose without justification to risk the life of my daughter who suffers from a chronic illness, and is leaving her in detention,” tweeted Sharon Goldenberg following the arrest.
Goldenberg was detained Friday afternoon at Geula Beach, where Ben-Gvir was visiting with his family.
During the visit, a bystander harassed the minister, calling him a “murderer” for refusing to capitulate to Hamas’s demands in ongoing ceasefire negotiations.
“I arrived today for a few hours with my family at the beach in Tel Aviv and was received by bathers with great warmth,” tweeted Ben-Gvir. “A handful of left-wing protesters started shouting at me and calling on me to leave. Their right, this is freedom of speech, but the beach does not belong to them,” he continued.
“At the same time, I thank the police and security guards who acted decisively to arrest a woman who threw sand at me and in the direction of my small children. Violence is a red line,” he said.
On Wednesday, Israeli Education Minister Yoav Kisch was escorted by police from a school in Kibbutz Kfar Menachem, as protesters demanding action regarding the hostages being held by Hamas pursued him.
“For shame, you are destroying the country,” demonstrators shouted as the minister was led away by officers.
Police arrested two people for assault and attempted assault.
Kisch labeled the incident “political” and accused the demonstrators of playing into the hands of Hamas.
