Israel protests: Thousands rally against Netanyahu immunity

  • 2019-05-26 03:16:34
Thousands of Israelis gathered on Saturday for a mass rally against moves to grant Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu immunity from prosecution. Protesters amassed outside a museum in Tel Aviv for "pro-democracy" demonstrations organised by Israeli opposition parties. They are accusing Mr Netanyahu of trying to pass legislation that safeguards him from corruption cases. Mr Netanyahu last month was elected to a fifth term as prime minister. He could be indicted on fraud and bribery charges however in the coming months. Saturday's demonstrations were the first held by opposition parties since Mr Netanyahu's election victory. Some protesters wore Ottoman-style red fez hats and carried portraits of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who they claim "symbolizes the regime type that we are opposing". Organisers claimed that tens of thousands attended the protests, but no officials figures were released by police. Benny Gantz, the former Israeli army chief who ran against Mr Netanyahu in the election, addressed crowds at the rally. He said Israel's dream was "falling apart" under Mr Netanyahu's leadership. "There are those who are attempting to replace the people's rule with the rule of a single man and to enslave an entire nation to the interests of one man," Mr Gantz said.

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