Israel: Sara Netanyahu rescued from angry protesters at hair salon

A large crowd of angry Israeli protesters surrounded a Tel Aviv hair salon on Wednesday where Sara Netanyahu, the wife of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was getting her hair done.

They blocked the entrance and chanted anti-government slogans.

In recent weeks, mass protests have taken place in Israel against a controversial government plan to overhaul the judicial system, amid growing political turmoil.

Protesters had declared Wednesday would be a "national day of disruption" and thousands marched in different cities, blocking vital roads and burning tyres on highways. 

When Sara Netanyahu was spotted in a salon in an upmarket neighbourhood in northern Tel Aviv, a crowd of angry demonstrators massed outside the establishment chanting "the country is burning and Sara is getting a haircut" and "shame, shame", according to an Israeli media report.

Hundreds of police officers were called to the scene - including a number on horseback - and escorted Sara Netanyahu out of the salon and into an SUV. 

'Anarchists'

Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir wrote on Twitter that he had ordered police to "save her life" from protesters who were "besieging" the salon.

Benjamin Netanyahu denounced the incident as additional proof that those protesting against the government's plans for the judiciary are "anarchists trying to sow disorder".

"The anarchy has to stop," Netanyahu said in Twitter post with a picture of him embracing his wife. "This can lead to the loss of life."

Several people were wounded on Wednesday and at least 28 were arrested as police violently dispersed protests.

More demonstrations are planned for Thursday in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.