Protester, 63, Arrested For Kicking Cars At Israeli Minister Event

NEW HAVEN, CT — One person was arrested at a demonstration Wednesday night by pro-Palestinian protesters, including anti-Zionist Jews, angered that far-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben Gvirfa was in New Haven to address members of a Jewish student club. Yale said the club is not affiliated with the University.

Hundreds of protesters gathered on the streets near the Shabtai society on Orange Street. Earlier in the day, police had issued traffic advisories for the area beginning at around 6 p.m., when Ben Gvirfa was expected to arrive. As noted in the New Haven Independent, the club is overseen by New Haven landlord Rabbi Shmully Hecht.

At around 10:30 p.m., according to New Haven police, officers assigned to the protest were helping people who'd come to hear Ben Gvirfa speak leave the event. Cars were driving out of the parking lot onto Lincoln Street when, police said, "protesters on the sidewalk linked to arms and attempted to block the driveway to prevent vehicles from leaving."

Cops moved protesters back, according to a NHPD post on "X," to allow the vehicles to pass when a New Haven man, identified as Mark Colville "was seen kicking two separate cars as they passed." Police said he was "warned to stop the behavior and was then seen striking a third car with his hand as it went by."

Police took Colville, 63, into custody and, they said, he "immediately went limp, causing officers to physically carry him away."

Colville was charged with disorderly conduct and interfering with an officer. He was freed on a $2,000 bond.

According to CNN, Ben Gvir, a "far-right firebrand" had been previously been convicted for supporting terrorism and inciting anti-Arab racism. So extreme, it's reported, "that the Israeli military rejected him from service."