Thousands of people once again took to the streets in Tel Aviv against the new Israeli government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Despite the rainy weather, at least 20,000 people gathered in the city center on Saturday, holding up signs reading “Government in disgrace” and “Overthrow the dictator”. It was the largest demonstration since the new government was formed in late December.
According to Israeli media reports, there were further protests in front of the prime minister’s residence in Jerusalem and in the city of Haifa in northern Israel.
Netanyahu took over the reins of government in Israel at the end of December after a year and a half in opposition. He has allied himself with far-right and ultra-Orthodox parties and heads the far-right government in Israeli history. Among other things, the coalition plans to expand Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, which are considered illegal under international law.
The new Israeli Minister of Justice, Jariv Levin, also presented a controversial reform project last week. His proposals include an “exception clause” that would allow Parliament to overturn a Supreme Court decision by a simple majority. Netanyahu is currently on trial on corruption charges, which he continues to deny.
An anti-corruption organization had called for the protests on Saturday. The opposition parties supported the call.
Former Secretary of Defense Benny Gantz on Friday called on “all Israelis, left and right” to take part in the protest rally and “demonstrate for the preservation of Israeli democracy”. (AFP)
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