Israelis take part in socially distanced protest against Netanyahu deal
For third week running demonstrators gathered in Tel Aviv's Rabin Square to oppose the agreement with Benny Gantz
Several thousand Israelis took to the streets in Tel Aviv on Saturday night, demonstrating against prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s new coalition deal with his chief rival a day before the country’s Supreme Court is to begin debating a series of legal challenges to the agreement.
Demonstrators gathered for the third consecutive weekend in Tel Aviv’s Rabin Square, standing more than two metres apart in organised rows to conform with social-distancing rules to protect against the spread of Covid-19.
Mr Netanyahu last month reached a power-sharing deal with his chief rival, Benny Gantz.
Protesters are upset that the deal leaves Mr Netanyahu in power as he prepares to go on trial for corruption charges.
“Shame! Shame!” chanted the protesters.
One of the posters showed a picture of Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gantz with the slogan: “We Say No to a Corruption Government.”
Under the deal, Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gantz agreed to share the premiership, with Mr Netanyahu serving as prime minister the first 18 months and Mr Gantz serving the next 18 months.
It also includes a clause to advance plans to annex parts of the West Bank, including Israeli settlements, starting July 1.
Saturday’s protest was organised by the Movement for Quality Government in Israel, one of the advocacy groups that has filed a legal challenge to the country’s Supreme Court.
Smaller protests were also taking place in other cities across Israel.
The groups are asking the high court to ban any indicted politician, including Mr Netanyahu, from being allowed to form a new government.
They also say that parts of the coalition deal are illegal.
If the court strikes down the coalition deal, Israel could be plunged into a fourth consecutive election in just over 12 months.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
