Israelis protest against the new Netanyahu administration

“Thousands of Israelis protest on Saturday against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s new administration, thought to be the most right-wing in the country’s history.”

In the beachfront city of Tel Aviv, protesters waved banners that read “Democracy in jeopardy” and “Together against fascism and apartheid.”

Others carried a giant banner that read “crime minister,” a slogan frequently used by Israelis during regular protests against Netanyahu in previous years. Some people waved Israeli and rainbow flags while others carried them.

“Israelis protesting against the formation of a coalition government led by Benjamin Netanyahu, who assumed office at the end of last month after winning the election on November 1, have expressed concern about the influence of extreme-right and ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties on the government. Some members of these parties now hold important ministry positions.”

It consists of a politician who acknowledged to tax evasion late last year and a number of far-right figures, one of whom once had a portrait of a man who murdered numerous Palestinian worshippers in his home.

Netanyahu, 73, has previously held the position of prime minister twice, from 2009 to 2021, making him the longest-serving leader in Israeli history. He is currently defending corruption charges in court.

“My ancestors traveled to Israel to create something extraordinary… We don’t want to believe that the Supreme Court will be overturned or that our democracy is in danger “said a lawyer who identified himself only as Assaf amid the demonstrators.

Protest

Omer, a protester who works in Tel Aviv’s computer industry, stated that “extremists are starting to deploy their forces and it’s not the majority.”

Intentions to pursue a settlement expansion agenda in the occupied West Bank and implement social reforms by the new government have alarmed many.

This week, Israel’s new justice minister unveiled a reform plan that included a “derogation clause” that would let parliament ignore Supreme Court rulings.

Yair Lapid, the leader of the opposition, blasted the amendments on Twitter, saying they “endanger the entire legal system of the State of Israel.”