A controversial protest installation featuring mock Hamas terrorists on a white Toyota truck caused widespread panic in Kfar Saba, Israel, Thursday morning, leading to three arrests.
The installation appeared in the Tel Hai neighborhood, triggering immediate police response.
The display, positioned in the city center by the "Reservists - Victory Generation" movement, was designed to protest potential hostage deals with Hamas. The installation recreated scenes from the October 7 attacks, triggering immediate panic among residents near the security barrier.
"It looked exactly like terrorists. I was sure they came to kill me," said Emily, a local resident. "Why would someone do such a thing? Haven't we been through enough?"
Another resident, Orna, expressed similar distress: "It was frightening. Even when protesting something, there's a line, and here it was crossed. Many people were scared."
Police detained three suspects from Tel Aviv, Kfar Saba, and a West Bank settlement. The municipality swiftly removed the unauthorized display following multiple emergency calls to the police hotline.
Kfar Saba Mayor Rafi Saar issued a strong condemnation: "This is a serious, irresponsible act that cannot be accepted. It hurt residents' sense of security." The municipality emphasized that residents' safety remains their top priority.
Right-wing activist Ayelet Lash commented on the incident, saying: "This display shows just a fraction of what could happen if Israel doesn't move to capture Jenin, expel its terrorists, and establish Jewish settlement there." She added, "It's either all-out war, or the terrorists will drag Kfar Saba's daughters to Jenin."
The organizers, representing thousands of reserve soldiers and officers, defended their action on X (formerly Twitter): "Those who think a doll display is horrifying apparently forgot what happened on 10/7 and don't understand what will happen in central cities the next time Hamas launches an attack from the West Bank."
They added: "We've been fighting in reserves for over 15 months, demanding to end this war with a clear defeat of the enemy, break their backbone and not advance more surrender agreements with terrorist organizations."
The incident has intensified debate about protest methods in a region still processing collective trauma, particularly concerning ongoing hostage negotiations with Hamas. Police have launched a comprehensive investigation into the display that blurred lines between political expression and public security threats.
Israel Hayom contributed to this article.
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