steampunk heart
Uncategorized

Thousands taking part in anti-graft protests against Netanyahu

Organizers of the ongoing demonstrations against Prime Minister Netanyahu are vowing to file complaints with the police for injuries sustained by demonstrators in recent days at the hands of the police, including from water cannon fire, Channel 12 reports.

They are also planning to file civil suits for damages over those injuries.

Police sources tell the network they have no intention of using more forceful tactics against demonstrators, despite the reported pressure of Public Security Minister Amir Ohana.

A few hundred people are now protesting against Prime Minister Netanyahu near his private home in the coastal town of Caesarea.

Public Security Minister Amir Ohana denies Prime Minister Netanyahu wants him to take action against the ongoing protests outside the premier’s official residence in Jerusalem.

“The prime minister never talked to me about the protests and never made a request about the protests,” Ohana says in an interview with Channel 12.

Ohana, a member of Netanyahu’s Likud party, says residents of the Rehavia neighborhood where the residence is located have told him their lives have turned to “hell” and that protesters have been relieving themselves in the street.

He’s also asked about reports that he accused police of being too soft on the anti-Netanyahu protests relative to other demonstrations, particularly by minority groups.

“I expect the police to act equally against all groups,” he says.

He calls for restrictions to be placed on the size of protests and where they can be held.

Ohana, whose ministry oversees police, also says he doesn’t believe Netanyahu needs to be involved in the appointment of a new police commissioner, after the attorney general informed the premier he couldn’t take part in appointing senior law enforcement or legal officials due to his indictment on graft charges.

Protesters begin also gathering outside the Prime Minister’s Residence in Jerusalem ahead of a demonstration this evening against Prime Minister Netanyahu.

Protests against Netanyahu are also being held on highway overpasses and bridges throughout the country.

Hundreds of police and security officers have been deployed to Caesarea ahead of an expected protest outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s private residence in the northern coastal town, the Walla news site reports.

Earlier, a man was detained near Netanyahu’s home there before being released without conditions.

“The active entered a sterile area against Shin Bet instructions and refused to leave despite the police officer asking him a few times,” the Kan public broadcaster quotes police as saying.

Only residents of the neighborhood are allowed to enter the area, according to Kan.

Police are also on high alert near the Prime Minister’s Residence in Jerusalem, where demonstrators calling on Netanyahu to resign due to his indictment on graft charges and handling of the coronavirus pandemic have been holding regular protests.

Source: TOI