Protest in Tel Aviv
Protest in Tel AvivKaplan Protest

Israeli singer and musician Aviv Geffen was detained this evening (Tuesday) during anti-government protests in Tel Aviv.

During the protest, demonstrators blocked a highway and clashed with police who attempted to reopen the road.

Video from the scene shows Geffen being led away by police while onlookers chant: "Shame."

Geffen was released after a short time and told Channel 12 News, "I didn't do anything, the policeman pushed me with force." His son Dylan added, "I don't expect police officers to behave like this in a democratic country. It was a violent arrest. It was very stressful, I was very scared."

Around 12:40 a.m., the police announced that all the blockades in Tel Aviv had been removed and the roads had reopened to traffic.

During the day, 71 protesters were arrested throughout the country, of which 45 were released.

Anti-judicial reform protestors demonstrated across the country beginning Tuesday morning, with the protests continuing well into the evening hours.

While police would not provide estimates on the number of protesters, JNS wrote that there appeared to be significantly fewer participants than in previous demonstrations held over the past few months.

In one of the largest of the demonstrations, thousands of people gathered for a protest at Ben Gurion Airport this afternoon. Airport officials stated that no flights were affected by the protest.

Police Commissioner Yaakov Shabtai earlier today rejected the protestors' claims of overcrowding caused by the police officers at Ben Gurion airport.

"They are creating a false representation. There is enough room to turn left and right. Anyone who sees a pumper truck or mounted officer should stay away, Shabtai told Channel 2 News, adding that "there is an increase in the level of violence among the protestors."