Thousands of protesters gathered in the center of Tel Aviv on Thursday to protest the current political deadlock and "the erosion of Israeli democracy" under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The demonstrators at the Habima Square, waving black flags and chanting anti-government slogans, said they were observing the social distancing rules and the Health Ministry's directives meant to combat the spread of coronavirus.
Organizers of the event said over 2,000 attended the protest. “Israeli citizens are proving today that Israeli democracy refuses to be part of a coup under the guise of the coronavirus crisis,” said one of the organizers.
“We won’t back a government whose prime minister is accused of bribery, fraud and breach of trust. We cannot permit a situation in which that same accused man has a role in appointing investigators, prosecutors and judges in the State of Israel,” he added, referring to Netanyahu's upcoming criminal trial.
"At this hour, during these mad times, a guilty man who lives at Balfour Street [The Prime Minister's official residence in Jerusalem] is jeopardizing Israel's democracy," said former Shin Bet chief Yuval Diskin during the protest.
"To the right-wing he promises annexation, to the left-wing he promises an emergency government. No ideology! For him, only 'Bibi' matters."
Diskin also called upon Blue & White MKs Benny Gantz and Gabi Ashkenazi to push for a legislation against Netanyahu. "Fight like real commanders in chief," he said.
"If you compromised on so many things, why not just pluck out a different Likud MK and form a government with him? Many good people within the Likud party do not know how to let loose of his [Netanyahu's] grip. If we end up going to a fourth election, it is only his fault."