Shame March Against Netanyahu's Government Corruption

Tens of thousands of Israelis protested against the "corruption" of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government in Tel Aviv, Haifa, and several other cities in a demonstration called the "Shame March." Simultaneously, recent polls show that as Netanyahu's position weakens amid corruption allegations, his rival party "Yesh Atid" has gained strength. According to Israeli media, the opposition protests on Saturday evening, December 2, were held following recent actions by the Likud party to pass laws defending the Prime Minister in the Knesset regarding corruption allegations. Protesters expressed their discontent over the prolonged police investigations into Benjamin Netanyahu and the lack of decisions regarding these matters. Organizers of the protests told Israeli media that from now on, they will hold the "Shame March" every Saturday night in Tel Aviv and other cities. Uzi Arad, a former national security advisor in Netanyahu's government and a senior former Mossad official, who is now a staunch critic of the Prime Minister, was one of the speakers at the Tel Aviv protest. He stated on Sunday to the "Ynet" website that holding the protest on Rothschild Boulevard in Tel Aviv, where Ben Gurion declared Israel's independence 70 years ago, had symbolic importance. Uzi Arad emphasized that by speaking to young people, the elderly, leftists, and rightists, he wanted to highlight that entrenched government corruption has even seeped into Israel's national security; his reference was to corruption allegations regarding the purchase of submarines from Germany for the Israeli army. He added that he observed several Mossad members who had come to support the protests in the streets of Tel Aviv. Protesters deemed the Likud party's recent law passed in the first reading by the Knesset as a shame for Israel; according to this law, the police will henceforth be prohibited from publishing their final opinion on corruption allegations against senior officials, such as the Prime Minister. Netanyahu's government called for the immediate return of all ministers and government supporters in the Knesset who are abroad to secure a majority vote. The second and third readings of this law are set to be voted on in the coming days. The aforementioned law, which has been criticized by the prosecutor and opposition parties, was passed in the first reading at a time when, according to Israeli media, the fate of one of the two corruption and conspiracy cases against Benjamin Netanyahu is approaching a critical stage. Police commanders have confirmed that the police will soon recommend to the prosecutor whether Mr. Netanyahu should be prosecuted for receiving large gifts over the past 17 years. He admits to receiving gifts from foreign friends, such as Arnon Milchan, an Australian billionaire, and James Packer, an Austrian billionaire, but claims these gifts were given solely based on family friendship to him and his wife. On the other hand, multiple Israeli media reports last week, based on statements from assistants of the two billionaires questioned by the police, claim that Benjamin Netanyahu's wife had been calling them and requesting gifts. Police investigators, led by Iranian-born investigator Kourosh Barnour, have traveled to several countries to investigate the allegations of receiving gifts and have questioned the mentioned billionaires in the gift case as well as Sheldon Adelson, a major American billionaire, regarding Netanyahu's conspiracy with Israel's main newspapers in his favor. According to the Haaretz newspaper, Ari Harow, a senior former official in the Israeli Prime Minister's office, has agreed to testify against Mr. Netanyahu in the newspaper conspiracy case, and the likelihood of an indictment against him in the case of collusion with the owner of Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper to reduce criticism of the government in light of the increased circulation of this newspaper has increased. Meanwhile, the investigation into more than ten political associates and relatives of Netanyahu regarding bribery in the purchase of submarines from Germany for the Israeli army continues; Mickey Ganor, a former senior official in this case, has testified against Netanyahu's closest associates, including the Prime Minister's lawyer and cousin. Simultaneously, the investigation into David Bitan, a key supporter of Netanyahu and head of parliamentary parties in the Knesset, entered a new phase on Sunday, December 3, with the start of questioning him at the anti-corruption headquarters in the police, leading to the arrest of many former officials from the municipality of Rishon Lezion. David Bitan, the former deputy mayor of Rishon Lezion, has been questioned by the police in this regard. He is accused of colluding with individuals accused of financial crimes in construction projects, and they have paid off his debts. Mr. Bitan denies these accusations, claiming that he is being targeted due to the malice of Netanyahu's rivals. Supporters of Benjamin Netanyahu's government also view the initiation of questioning David Bitan as another attempt by the police and opponents to harm the government and have protested against it. In the meantime, according to Israeli media, recent polls indicate that as reports of corruption regarding Benjamin Netanyahu, his wife, and several of his supporters continue, the popularity of the rival party "Yesh Atid" has increased. These polls show that this party, led by Yair Lapid, has reached the same level of public opinion as the Likud party. Yair Lapid and Avi Gabay, the leader of the Labor party, have expanded their efforts to undermine the government and bring the election date closer. However, Benjamin Netanyahu continues to assert that all allegations against him are baseless and that he will remain in the position of Prime Minister. In this context, Mickey Zohar, a government supporter in the Knesset, also told Ynet that if the opponents brought 30,000 people to the streets on Saturday night, government supporters would bring one million people to the polls in action and elections. In this context, the publication of the results of the "corruption" investigation against Netanyahu has been prohibited. Netanyahu's coalition government is facing a crisis with the announcement of the resignation of a religious party. Netanyahu is being questioned for the fifth time.