TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Thousands of Israelis took to the streets Saturday evening to protest plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s new government that opponents say threaten democracy and freedoms.
The protesters gathered in the central city of Tel Aviv days after the most right-wing and religiously conservative government in the country’s 74-year history was sworn in.
“The settler government is against me,” read one placard. Another banner read, “Housing, Livelihood, Hope.” Some protesters carried rainbow flags.
The protest was led by left-wing and Arab members of the Israeli parliament, the Knesset. They contend that proposed plans by the new Cabinet will hinder judicial system and widen societal gaps.
The left-wing protesters slammed Justice Minister Yariv Levin, who on Wednesday unveiled the government’s long-promised overhaul of the judicial system that aims to weaken the country’s Supreme Court.
Critics accused the government of declaring war on the legal system, saying the plan will upend Israel’s system of checks and balances and undermine its democratic institutions by giving absolute power to the new governing coalition.
“We are really afraid that our country is going to lose the democracy and we are going to a dictatorship just for reasons of one person which wants to get rid of his law trial,” said Danny Simon, 77, a protester from Yavne, south of Tel Aviv. He was referring to Netanyahu, who was indicted on corruption charges in 2021, allegations that he has denied.
Protesters also called for peace and co-existence between Jews and Arab residents of the country.
“We can see right now many laws being advocated for against LGBTQ, against Palestinians, against larger minorities in Israel,” said Rula Daood of “Standing Together,” a grassroots movement of Arabs and Jews. “We are here to say loud and clear that all of us, Arabs and Jews and different various communities inside of Israel, demand peace, equality and justice.” Activists chant slogans in Tel Aviv, Israel, to protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right government, Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023. The placard at left reads: “The settler government is against me.”; the placard at right reads: “housing, livelihood, hope.” (AP Photo/ Tsafrir Abayov)
Protesters march in Tel Aviv, Israel, against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right government, Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/ Tsafrir Abayov)Israeli lawmakers Ayman Odeh, center right, Mossi Raz, second from right, and Ofer Cassif, right, march behind a banner reading “This is our home. This is our home,” in Tel Aviv, Israel, to protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right government, Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/ Tsafrir Abayov)A person wears a knit cap in the colors of the Palestinian and Israeli flags in Tel Aviv, Israel, during a protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right government, Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023. Thousands of protesters turned up, days after the most right-wing and religiously conservative government in the country’s 74-year history was sworn in. (AP Photo/ Tsafrir Abayov)A protester holds a Palestinian flag in Tel Aviv, Israel, at a demonstration against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right government, Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023. Thousands of Israelis protested plans by Netanyahu’s government that opponents say threaten democracy and freedoms. (AP Photo/ Tsafrir Abayov)A protester holds a Palestinian flag in Tel Aviv, Israel, at a demonstration against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right government, Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023. Thousands of Israelis protested plans by Netanyahu’s government that opponents say threaten democracy and freedoms. (AP Photo/ Tsafrir Abayov)A protester holds a Transgender pride flag in Tel Aviv, Israel, to protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right government, Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023. Thousands of Israelis protested Netanyahu’s government that opponents say threaten democracy and freedoms. (AP Photo/ Tsafrir Abayov)Activists lock arms in Tel Aviv, Israel, to protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right government, Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023. Thousands of Israelis protested plans by Netanyahu’s government that opponents say threaten democracy and freedoms. (AP Photo/ Tsafrir Abayov)Activists lock arms in Tel Aviv, Israel, to protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right government, Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023. Thousands of Israelis protested plans by Netanyahu’s government that opponents say threaten democracy and freedoms. (AP Photo/ Tsafrir Abayov)
these fools are welcome to leave.
But when these leftist kooks were in power they had no problem forcing their secular beliefs on the religious. Such hypocrites.
The mainstream Arab countries must love being lumped together with the gays.
Sorry leftists communists and Arabs. You lose!!!!!
I hope they weren’t blocking any streets and causing a chillul Hashem and aiva. Oh, wait…….
These children don’t like to lose. LMTO
Deport them all to gaza.
The leftist jews can leve Isreal and go to Europe where they are loved
No matter who was elected, thousands would have protested.