‘Stop the Coup’: Pro-Netanyahu Rally in Tel Aviv Draws Several Thousand

Several thousand pro-Likud protesters took to the streets in Tel Aviv in support of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces legal proceedings in three corruption cases. 

The protest, at the Tel Aviv Museum, was scheduled following Netanyahu's indictment for bribery, fraud and breach of trust. 

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The slogan of the demonstration, "Let's save the state from the coup d'état," refers to a speech by Netanyahu after the indictment was made official, when he decried the "attempted coup" against an acting prime minister.

The demonstration in support of Netanyahu in Tel Aviv, on Tuesday, November 26, 2019. Signs say “stop the persecution” and “We want an investigative commission from abroad.”Daniel Bar-On

Culture Minister Miri Regev, who was rumored not to be attending the event, did show up, as did a few other Likud lawmakers.

“The rule of law is not above the law,” Regev said at the rally. “With all due respect to the rule of law, they [law enforcement agencies] should be under scrutiny too.”

Miki Zohar, one of only a handful of elected representatives who came to the protest, told the crowd: “We don’t want to attack the rule of law, but strengthen law enforcement systems. How can we do it if we don’t criticize it and ask it to correct its wrongs?”

“We won’t let lies win over the truth,” added Zohar, a close ally of Netanyahu. “I tell the prime minister: Stay strong, because a massive part, if not most of the Israeli people, is behind you today.”