Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Tel Aviv on Saturday evening to protest alleged government corruption, calling on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to resign.
The protest dubbed "March of Shame" was part of a series events that were held in other Israeli cities, all sparked by corruption allegations against Netanyahu, with the previous rally being held last week.
Biggest Israeli anti-gov protest I’ve seen in years. Protesting against corruption, mostly Bibi, for last 3 hours, blocking several major streets in Tel Aviv #israel #corruption #netanyahu pic.twitter.com/N3wEnzNQ45
— Yardena Schwartz (@yardenas) 9 декабря 2017 г.
People held banners and shouted slogans against the prime minister, who has been suspected of being involved in bribery, fraud and breach of trust. Some of the protesters also denounced Tel Aviv's policies.
Thousands march in Tel Aviv to protest against Netanyahu, corruption https://t.co/BhxtfrIN8L pic.twitter.com/VXmQMqvaM1
— Updates News (@updatesnews6) 10 декабря 2017 г.
Thousands of Israelis protest Netanyahu in Tel-Avivhttps://t.co/UTZk8GVY2V pic.twitter.com/nbhWvSpl45
— Millî Gazete (ENG) (@milligazeteEN) 10 декабря 2017 г.
Following the protests, the ruling Likud party issued a statement, claiming that such protests divided the nation at a time, when " the flags of Israel and the US are being torched," speaking about anti-Israeli protests across the Arab world.
Israelis protest against corruption-tainted Netanyahu in Tel Aviv https://t.co/ZS6bGTjh2F pic.twitter.com/KMqSyPIHSv
— iuvmonline (@iuvmonline2017e) 10 декабря 2017 г.
The protests come amid the recent decision by US President Donald Trump to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and signing the document relocating the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. This has sparked a negative reaction from many countries around the world, primarily in the Middle East.
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The decision has already led to "day of rage" clashes in Israel with dozens of injured, and exchange of fire with Gaza, which led to the death of four Palestinians.