From Finland to Tel Aviv: Israelis wave flags and call on Netanyahu to go
Pro-Netanyahu youth drives into protest crowd in Kiryat Ono.
By JERUSALEM POST STAFFIsraeli in Finland raises black flag against Netanyahu/ Courtesy
Amid the 36th week of ongoing anti-Netanyahu protests, an Israeli in Finland became a social media hit after airing a video of him skiing with the word "Lech" on his back while waving a black flag during a ski run.Lech, which means "go" in English is the motto of the movement against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The black flag shown in the video also signifies one of the main leading groups; The Black Flag Movement. Following the video being aired, hundreds online change the caption on their profile pictures from what would be translated to "Go" instead to "Go ski."Black Flag protesters in Haifa, one sign says "There is no vaccination against corruption."/ Courtesy Meanwhile, on Saturday evening, organized convoys of anti-Netanyahu protesters arrived at Balfour Street in Jerusalem, outside the Prime Minister's Residence.
But in Kiryat Ono, a 16-year-old Netanyahu supporter attempted to intimidate protesters when he drove into them and cursed protest leader Shifra Shmueli. The youth was captured by Shmueli's husband and another man whom the young man also cursed.The father of the youth pleaded with the couple and they agreed to drop the charges. The teenager apologized and tearfully asked them not to involve the police.
“We felt bad for him so we agreed to drop the charges,” Shmueli said.
The Black Flag movement said that the violence against protesters "is the result of a policy of incitement, hate and divisiveness promoted by the indicted Netanyahu." They called on the public to join them "for a fight over our lives and the shape of our country."
In Jerusalem, many were expected to come in costume in light of Purim. This comes amid a special curfew set in place to curb coronavirus infection rates on the holiday.
"The indicted [Netanyahu] released a special regulation to cancel the convoys to Balfour this evening but it will not stop us," activists said.
"We will be in Balfour tonight, whom by foot, whom by car, disguised with black [flags], pink [flags], Israeli flags and signs."Protesters with pink flag and Purim costumes in Tel Aviv/ Courtesy
"The right of protest is a basic right and we will uphold it," Ein Matzav activists said.
"We will continue to protest in front of this failed government, which forsake the people in the medical care and economical concern after [the harms of] corona."
