Israeli media says about 30,000
people gather in Tel Aviv calling for
PM to be replaced in March 17
national electio
ns.
Former Mossad chief called
Netanyahu "the person who has
caused the greatest strategic damage
to Israel" [AP]
Tens of thousands of Israelis have
gathered at a Tel Aviv square calling
for Benjamin Netanyahu to be
replaced as the prime minister in
national elections scheduled to be
held on March 17.
Police gave no official figures, but
Israeli media said that about 30,000
people attended the rally on
Saturday, which was held under the
banner "Israel wants a change".
The rally's keynote speaker was Meir
Dagan, a former Mossad chief, who
recently criticised Netanyahu's
conduct and called him "the person
who has caused the greatest strategic
damage to Israel".
"Bibi, you've failed, go home," the
demonstrators chanted, referring to
Netanyahu by his nickname.
Opinion polls show Netanyahu's right- wing Likud running neck-and-neck with rival Isaac Herzog, head of the centre-left Zionist Union, linked to the Labour party.
Netanyahu, seeking a fourth term in
office, is seen as having a slight
advantage of more parliamentary
allies in to form a coalition
government.
Latest polls have both Zionist Union
and Likud winning 23 of the Knesset's
seats.
Israel's interests
Netanyahu has focused his campaign
on security issues and the Iranian
nuclear programme, and the
demonstration organisers appeared
to be challenging him on his home
turf by featuring Dagan as the
headline speaker.
"For six years, Mr Benjamin
Netanyahu has been serving as prime minister. Now it has been six years in which Israel has never been more stuck," Dagan said, accusing Netanyahu of failing in dealing with Iran and forfeiting Israel's interests
for the sake of his own political
survival by not pushing for a peace
deal with the Palestinians.
"In six years he has not lead one real
move to change the region and to
create a better future."
US-led international talks are under
way to persuade Iran to restrain its
nuclear programme in exchange for
relief from sanctions that have
crippled its economy.
Netanyahu drew strong criticism from the administration of
Barack Obama and in Israel for a
speech he gave at the US Congress
on Tuesday where he criticised the
emerging deal.
His opponents said he had damaged
Israel's strategic alliance with the US.
people gather in Tel Aviv calling for
PM to be replaced in March 17
national electio
ns.
Former Mossad chief called
Netanyahu "the person who has
caused the greatest strategic damage
to Israel" [AP]
Tens of thousands of Israelis have
gathered at a Tel Aviv square calling
for Benjamin Netanyahu to be
replaced as the prime minister in
national elections scheduled to be
held on March 17.
Police gave no official figures, but
Israeli media said that about 30,000
people attended the rally on
Saturday, which was held under the
banner "Israel wants a change".
The rally's keynote speaker was Meir
Dagan, a former Mossad chief, who
recently criticised Netanyahu's
conduct and called him "the person
who has caused the greatest strategic
damage to Israel".
"Bibi, you've failed, go home," the
demonstrators chanted, referring to
Netanyahu by his nickname.
Opinion polls show Netanyahu's right- wing Likud running neck-and-neck with rival Isaac Herzog, head of the centre-left Zionist Union, linked to the Labour party.
Netanyahu, seeking a fourth term in
office, is seen as having a slight
advantage of more parliamentary
allies in to form a coalition
government.
Latest polls have both Zionist Union
and Likud winning 23 of the Knesset's
seats.
Israel's interests
Netanyahu has focused his campaign
on security issues and the Iranian
nuclear programme, and the
demonstration organisers appeared
to be challenging him on his home
turf by featuring Dagan as the
headline speaker.
"For six years, Mr Benjamin
Netanyahu has been serving as prime minister. Now it has been six years in which Israel has never been more stuck," Dagan said, accusing Netanyahu of failing in dealing with Iran and forfeiting Israel's interests
for the sake of his own political
survival by not pushing for a peace
deal with the Palestinians.
"In six years he has not lead one real
move to change the region and to
create a better future."
US-led international talks are under
way to persuade Iran to restrain its
nuclear programme in exchange for
relief from sanctions that have
crippled its economy.
Netanyahu drew strong criticism from the administration of
Barack Obama and in Israel for a
speech he gave at the US Congress
on Tuesday where he criticised the
emerging deal.
His opponents said he had damaged
Israel's strategic alliance with the US.
0 comments:
Post a Comment