14 july 2020
The demonstrators carrying torches had to be pulled away from the gate by the police, resulting in clashes between law enforcement officials and the protestors, who called on Netanyahu to resign; rally meant to coincide with The Storming of the Bastille
Thousands of protesters carrying torches, on Tuesday scuffled with police in front of Prime Minister's Residence in Jerusalem and tried to break into the compound. video
The "Black Flags" demonstration began in the evening hours in response to police's removal of tents set up by anti-corruption activists outside the premier's residence. The demonstrators have staged a sit-in outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's official residence in Jerusalem for the past month, calling on him to resign while facing corruption charges.
The protestors were waving black flags, which they say symbolize the death of Israel's democracy during Netanyahu's tenure as Israeli leader, and shouting, "Bibi, go home" and "This is our country, no Netanyahu's".
Many held posters, saying "You are detached. We are fed up," or saying there is "no way" a politician under indictment can be prime minister.
Demonstrators, defying orders to maintain social distancing requirements, chanted slogans, blew horns and threw water bottles at the police.
The activists at some point tried to storm the residence but were dragged away by police officers, resulting in scuffles.
Amir Haskel, a former Israeli air force general and one of the leaders of the protest, said the protest is meant to coincide with The Storming of the Bastille in Paris in 1789.
"Today, 231 years ago, the French Revolution broke out with a motto: 'Liberty, Equality, Fraternity'" he wrote on Twitter. "We seek to add to that: morality and justice."
Netanyahu has seen his popularity drop in recent weeks as he comes under criticism from a series of directions. A loose-knit movement has held a number of demonstrations saying that Netanyahu is unfit to lead at a time when he is on trial. Others have taken to the streets to protest a worsening economic crisis caused by the coronavirus.
In addition, a rally marking nine nears since the start social justice protests in the summer of 2011, took place at Charles Clore Park in Tel Aviv. Around 400 people gathered at the part ahead of the protest, organized by Daphni Leef, one of the organizers of the July 2011 demonstrations.
Thousands of protesters carrying torches, on Tuesday scuffled with police in front of Prime Minister's Residence in Jerusalem and tried to break into the compound. video
The "Black Flags" demonstration began in the evening hours in response to police's removal of tents set up by anti-corruption activists outside the premier's residence. The demonstrators have staged a sit-in outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's official residence in Jerusalem for the past month, calling on him to resign while facing corruption charges.
The protestors were waving black flags, which they say symbolize the death of Israel's democracy during Netanyahu's tenure as Israeli leader, and shouting, "Bibi, go home" and "This is our country, no Netanyahu's".
Many held posters, saying "You are detached. We are fed up," or saying there is "no way" a politician under indictment can be prime minister.
Demonstrators, defying orders to maintain social distancing requirements, chanted slogans, blew horns and threw water bottles at the police.
The activists at some point tried to storm the residence but were dragged away by police officers, resulting in scuffles.
Amir Haskel, a former Israeli air force general and one of the leaders of the protest, said the protest is meant to coincide with The Storming of the Bastille in Paris in 1789.
"Today, 231 years ago, the French Revolution broke out with a motto: 'Liberty, Equality, Fraternity'" he wrote on Twitter. "We seek to add to that: morality and justice."
Netanyahu has seen his popularity drop in recent weeks as he comes under criticism from a series of directions. A loose-knit movement has held a number of demonstrations saying that Netanyahu is unfit to lead at a time when he is on trial. Others have taken to the streets to protest a worsening economic crisis caused by the coronavirus.
In addition, a rally marking nine nears since the start social justice protests in the summer of 2011, took place at Charles Clore Park in Tel Aviv. Around 400 people gathered at the part ahead of the protest, organized by Daphni Leef, one of the organizers of the July 2011 demonstrations.
13 july 2020
Video footage shows city officials and police officers tearing down banners and tents while tussling with demonstrators, who have staged a sit-in outside PM's official residence for the past month, wounding five of them video video
Israeli police and Jerusalem municipal officials scuffled with protesters demonstrating against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday as officers dismantled tents set up by the demonstrator's outside the premier's residence.
The demonstrators have staged a sit-in outside Netanyahu's official residence in Jerusalem for the past month, calling on him to resign while facing corruption charges. They said police used excessive force to dismantle the sit-in while opposition politicians decried the move as a restriction of free expression.
Video footage from the scene appeared to show city officials and police officers tearing down banners and removing chairs and tents while tussling with demonstrators. At least five protesters were lightly wounded, with one needing a medical treatment at a hospital.
Jerusalem city hall said in a statement that the municipality had removed the protesters' equipment for a second consecutive day because it "was placed without a permit and harms public order."
Amir Haskel, a former Israeli air force general and one of the leaders of the protest, told Army Radio that the demonstrators were undeterred. "There's no chance that we're moving from here," he said. "You can't ignore the fact that we've been here 35 days."
Last month, Haskel was arrested by police for allegedly holding a protest without a permit, but was later released without charges. He denounced his detention as an attempt to stifle the protest, which has grown in numbers since his arrest.
On Friday, several thousand people gathered outside Netanyahu's residence, calling for his resignation.
Separately, thousands demonstrated on Saturday in downtown Tel Aviv, protesting what is widely seen as Netanyahu's failure to address economic woes brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.
After Monday's dismantling of the sit-in, opposition leader Yair Lapid wrote on Twitter that "Netanyahu has lost public trust, and with it the courage to stand before citizens who tell him the truth daily - that he's failed."
The incident came a day after public opinion polls showed dismal approval of Netanyahu's handling of the pandemic. A Channel 13 survey found that 75% of respondents were unsatisfied by the government's performance, while a similar poll by public broadcaster Kan showed that 85% were dissatisfied.
Israeli police and Jerusalem municipal officials scuffled with protesters demonstrating against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday as officers dismantled tents set up by the demonstrator's outside the premier's residence.
The demonstrators have staged a sit-in outside Netanyahu's official residence in Jerusalem for the past month, calling on him to resign while facing corruption charges. They said police used excessive force to dismantle the sit-in while opposition politicians decried the move as a restriction of free expression.
Video footage from the scene appeared to show city officials and police officers tearing down banners and removing chairs and tents while tussling with demonstrators. At least five protesters were lightly wounded, with one needing a medical treatment at a hospital.
Jerusalem city hall said in a statement that the municipality had removed the protesters' equipment for a second consecutive day because it "was placed without a permit and harms public order."
Amir Haskel, a former Israeli air force general and one of the leaders of the protest, told Army Radio that the demonstrators were undeterred. "There's no chance that we're moving from here," he said. "You can't ignore the fact that we've been here 35 days."
Last month, Haskel was arrested by police for allegedly holding a protest without a permit, but was later released without charges. He denounced his detention as an attempt to stifle the protest, which has grown in numbers since his arrest.
On Friday, several thousand people gathered outside Netanyahu's residence, calling for his resignation.
Separately, thousands demonstrated on Saturday in downtown Tel Aviv, protesting what is widely seen as Netanyahu's failure to address economic woes brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.
After Monday's dismantling of the sit-in, opposition leader Yair Lapid wrote on Twitter that "Netanyahu has lost public trust, and with it the courage to stand before citizens who tell him the truth daily - that he's failed."
The incident came a day after public opinion polls showed dismal approval of Netanyahu's handling of the pandemic. A Channel 13 survey found that 75% of respondents were unsatisfied by the government's performance, while a similar poll by public broadcaster Kan showed that 85% were dissatisfied.
8 july 2020
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with his attorneys in the Jerusalem District Court
Source confirms Attorney Micha Fettman's departure is connected to AG's decision to block PM from receiving private funding for defense expenses, on grounds it amounts to improper gift to government official
One of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's top defense lawyers dropped his client after the premier was denied permission to receive private funding for his legal team, sources said on Wednesday.
Netanyahu, who is standing trial over corruption allegations, which he denies, had sought 10 million shekels ($2.9 million) from his U.S. billionaire friend, Spencer Partrich, to help cover legal fees.
But following a recommendation from Israel's attorney general, a committee in the state comptroller's office blocked Netanyahu from accepting the loan on grounds it amounted to an improper gift to a government official.
The 70-year-old premier, whose personal fortune has been estimated at more than $10 million, was also ordered to return some of the money he received from his American cousin, Nathan Milikowsky, to cover legal expenses.
Following those setbacks, defense lawyer Micha Fettman resigned from the right-wing premier's defense team.
Multiple Israeli media outlets reported Wednesday that the resignation was linked to money and the prospect that Fettman's fees would not be covered.
A source directly linked to the case confirmed to AFP that Fettman's departure from the case was connected to the committee's decision to block Netanyahu from receiving private funding.
Netanyahu was indicted in January for seeking to illegally trade favors in exchange for positive media coverage, as well as accepting cigars, champagne, and jewelry worth 700,000 shekels ( $200,00) from wealthy personalities in exchange for favors.
Netanyahu, who in May forged a new unity government after more than a year of political turmoil, insists the charges were trumped up to drive him from office.
The next trial date at the Jerusalem District Court is scheduled for July 19, but the session is expected to be procedural and Netanyahu is not obliged to attend.
Under Israeli law, a sitting prime minister is only required to resign if convicted of a criminal offense with all appeals exhausted, which in Netanyahu's case, could take several years.
Source confirms Attorney Micha Fettman's departure is connected to AG's decision to block PM from receiving private funding for defense expenses, on grounds it amounts to improper gift to government official
One of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's top defense lawyers dropped his client after the premier was denied permission to receive private funding for his legal team, sources said on Wednesday.
Netanyahu, who is standing trial over corruption allegations, which he denies, had sought 10 million shekels ($2.9 million) from his U.S. billionaire friend, Spencer Partrich, to help cover legal fees.
But following a recommendation from Israel's attorney general, a committee in the state comptroller's office blocked Netanyahu from accepting the loan on grounds it amounted to an improper gift to a government official.
The 70-year-old premier, whose personal fortune has been estimated at more than $10 million, was also ordered to return some of the money he received from his American cousin, Nathan Milikowsky, to cover legal expenses.
Following those setbacks, defense lawyer Micha Fettman resigned from the right-wing premier's defense team.
Multiple Israeli media outlets reported Wednesday that the resignation was linked to money and the prospect that Fettman's fees would not be covered.
A source directly linked to the case confirmed to AFP that Fettman's departure from the case was connected to the committee's decision to block Netanyahu from receiving private funding.
Netanyahu was indicted in January for seeking to illegally trade favors in exchange for positive media coverage, as well as accepting cigars, champagne, and jewelry worth 700,000 shekels ( $200,00) from wealthy personalities in exchange for favors.
Netanyahu, who in May forged a new unity government after more than a year of political turmoil, insists the charges were trumped up to drive him from office.
The next trial date at the Jerusalem District Court is scheduled for July 19, but the session is expected to be procedural and Netanyahu is not obliged to attend.
Under Israeli law, a sitting prime minister is only required to resign if convicted of a criminal offense with all appeals exhausted, which in Netanyahu's case, could take several years.
2 july 2020
Prime Minister Netanyahu and American billionaire Spencer Partrich
State Comptroller's panel accepts AG's opinion that NIS 10m donation from U.S. billionaire, who is also a witness in one of PM's corruption cases, could not be accepted under Israeli law
The state comptroller's permits committee on Thursday said it will not discuss Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's request to raise NIS 10 million from donors to finance his legal defense in his criminal trial.
Netanyahu had asked the board to allow the sizeable donation from American real-estate magnate Spencer Partrich.
The committee then asked Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit's opinion on the matter, given the fact that Partrich is a witness in one of the premier's corruption cases.
On Tuesday, Mandelblit told the State Comptroller's Office that he opposed Netanyahu's request, stating that public servants are prohibited from receiving such amounts under Israeli law.
"Once again, it seems like there is one law for Netanyahu and another for everyone else. This is what a political investigation looks like, ending with a political indictment," Netanyahu said via associates to the media.
Netanyahu also went on to accuse Mandelblit of orchestrating a "coup d'etat" to unseat him from power.
The panel also decided to not renew hearings on a retroactive request from Netanyahu to receive $300,000 in funds for legal fees from his cousin, Nathan Milikowski.
Since the request was previously rejected by the committee, Netanyahu will have to pay $30,000 of the funds back to Milikowski.
State Comptroller's panel accepts AG's opinion that NIS 10m donation from U.S. billionaire, who is also a witness in one of PM's corruption cases, could not be accepted under Israeli law
The state comptroller's permits committee on Thursday said it will not discuss Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's request to raise NIS 10 million from donors to finance his legal defense in his criminal trial.
Netanyahu had asked the board to allow the sizeable donation from American real-estate magnate Spencer Partrich.
The committee then asked Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit's opinion on the matter, given the fact that Partrich is a witness in one of the premier's corruption cases.
On Tuesday, Mandelblit told the State Comptroller's Office that he opposed Netanyahu's request, stating that public servants are prohibited from receiving such amounts under Israeli law.
"Once again, it seems like there is one law for Netanyahu and another for everyone else. This is what a political investigation looks like, ending with a political indictment," Netanyahu said via associates to the media.
Netanyahu also went on to accuse Mandelblit of orchestrating a "coup d'etat" to unseat him from power.
The panel also decided to not renew hearings on a retroactive request from Netanyahu to receive $300,000 in funds for legal fees from his cousin, Nathan Milikowski.
Since the request was previously rejected by the committee, Netanyahu will have to pay $30,000 of the funds back to Milikowski.
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