Thousands demonstrated against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government in Jerusalem late Monday, demanding early elections and a hostage deal in the first of several protests scheduled for this week, amid rising political turmoil in the country.

       Police said the protesters turned violent in the final hour and that the demonstration degenerated into a riot, with people attacking police officers and setting fires. In a statement, police said they used “force and means to disperse the rioters” and reported nine arrests.