Thousands of Israelis March Against Netanyahu

Moshe Ya'alon, former Israeli Defense Minister, stated during the protests of thousands of Israelis against corruption attributed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, "Corruption in Israel is a greater threat than Iran and Hamas." The demonstrators, who gathered on Saturday night, December 23, across several cities in Israel, called for Netanyahu's resignation. According to Israeli media, thousands of citizens protested for the fourth consecutive week in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, and 12 other cities against the corruption allegations against Netanyahu and some of his political associates and family. While previous protests were mainly organized by political opponents of Netanyahu, this time, right-wingers and former supporters of Netanyahu from the Likud party also held two protest gatherings in Zion Square and Paris Square in front of the Prime Minister's office and residence in Jerusalem, stating that they too demand his resignation. Several well-known right-wing politicians participating in the Jerusalem gathering said that "Israel is more important to them than Netanyahu." The protests occurred while Benjamin Netanyahu was interrogated for the seventh time by investigators from the anti-corruption unit of the police. The police announced that two investigation files against Netanyahu have been completed and will soon recommend to the prosecutor whether to issue an indictment against him. The case known as "Case 1000" involves Netanyahu receiving valuable gifts over the years from foreign Jewish billionaires. He acknowledges receiving gifts but claims they were from "family friends"; however, according to some media reports, assistants to two of these wealthy individuals told the police that Sara, the Prime Minister's wife, sometimes angrily requested these gifts and specified the types of gifts. Netanyahu was also interrogated in the case known as "Case 2000" for allegedly colluding with the owner of the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper to reduce criticism of him in exchange for influencing the competing newspaper Israel Hayom to decrease its daily circulation and eliminate at least one weekly political magazine of that newspaper. In recent months, Israeli police have interrogated over ten former officials from the Prime Minister's office and close associates of Netanyahu, as well as his lawyer and cousin, in the "Case 3000" regarding collusion and corruption in the purchase of submarines from Germany for the military, but Netanyahu has been cleared of this case. Last Wednesday, during a speech to Likud party supporters, Netanyahu mocked the police, stating that a large portion of the cases recommended by the police to the prosecutor and court were "thrown in the trash"; in response, Ronny Alsheikh, the police chief, stated that the police would remain silent in the face of the Prime Minister's behavior and would perform their professional duties. In that speech filled with sarcasm and criticism against Israeli journalists, while imitating the facial expressions and tone of television presenters, Netanyahu claimed that they have been making "baseless accusations" against him and his family for years. Netanyahu, who has served as Prime Minister for about 10 years and is currently in his third consecutive term, continues to express "confidence" that the investigative files against him will not lead to trial and that the legal term of his third government will continue until spring 2019. According to the latest poll, 63% of Israelis said that if the prosecutor issues an indictment against Benjamin Netanyahu, he should resign; however, Avigdor Lieberman, the Defense Minister and leader of the party allied with Netanyahu, stated last week that he advised him to remain in the Prime Minister's position until the end of the trial even if an indictment is issued. According to a poll on Saturday, December 23, 59% of the public trusts the police against Benjamin Netanyahu, while 27% believe his claims of innocence. Meanwhile, Israeli media reported that David Bitan, the closest political figure to Benjamin Netanyahu, was scheduled to be interrogated for the fourth time by the anti-corruption unit of the police on Sunday, December 24. Mr. Bitan, who was the head of the coalition parties' faction, resigned from his position on Thursday amid ongoing police questioning.