Former Shin Bet chief Gillon
Photo: Haim Zach
Former Shin Bet chief: tune out Netanyahu's Independence Day speech
Urging viewers of the torch lighting ceremony on Israel's 70th Independence Day to turn off Netanyahu's speech at the event, former Shin Bet chief Carmi Gillon says this form of protest would be visible in the ceremony's ratings.
Former Shin Bet chief Carmi Gillon spoke on Friday to tune out Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech at the torch lighting ceremony on Israel's 70th Independence Day if Netanyahu decides, contrary to common protocol, to make such a speech, urging viewers to turn off the television for the duration of speech or to change a channel.
"The torch lighting ceremony has the highest ratings annually and is broadcast on the three public channels," Gillon wrote in a WhatsApp group he opened, asking members in it to relay the message to others.
"All the viewers who want to express their protest about turning the most stately event in the country into a political event for Netanyahu should turn off the television or change the channel during his speech," he suggested. "This is a protest that can be seen (in view count numbers—ed) almost in real time .If a few hundred thousand will do this, it could have an impressive public effect."
Former Shin Bet chief Gillon (Photo: Motti Kimchi)
Gillon wrote following an acrimonious public spat between Culture Minister Miri Regev and Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein, with the former wishing for the premier to attend along with President Reuven Rivlin and the latter threatening to boycott the ceremony if that happens.
The ceremony was traditionally considered a state ceremony in which the main figure is the speaker of the Knesset. While Netanyahu is expected to attend, it remains unclear whether he will speak at the ceremony.
"This is a state ceremony in which the entire population is represented," Gillon told Ynet. "It is a ceremony with a very long tradition and it pains me to see it tarnished. They are turning the ceremony into a political tool for the prime minister and the culture minister. I believe that the ordinary citizen does not want them to politicize the ceremony and believes that its stateliness should be preserved."
Minister Regev (L) and Speaker Edelstein (Photo: Marc Israel Sellem and Gil Yohanan)
On Thursday, Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández confirmed that he will attend Israel’s 70th birthday ceremony, a move which will likely pave the way for Netanyahu to attend the celebrations, as—according to protocol—the presence of a foreign president at an official state ceremony obligates the attendance of the prime minister.
Hernández, who said that his Central American country would always stand by Israel’s side, will light a torch on behalf of the Center for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFAIC), marking the first time ever in the history of the ceremony that the head of another state has lit a torch.
