Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted on social media that "the leftist state sewers are using the judicial system" against him, prompting President Isaac Herzog to issue a statement in his defense.
“In the United States and Israel, when a strong right-wing leader wins an election, the leftist state sewers instrumentalize the judicial system to thwart the will of the people. They won't win in either of these places!” X Netanyahu posted on his social media profile.
Just minutes later, the presidential profile posted: “Israel’s strong and independent judiciary is an asset to our democracy, and the President of Israel is very proud of it.”
Netanyahu's comments came after a day of intense protests against his government, with thousands of people gathered around his Jerusalem residence.
The protests on Tuesday and Wednesday were initially called to protest the prime minister's decision to dismiss the head of Shabak (the domestic intelligence agency [also known as Shin Bet]), Ronen Bar. The subsequent resumption of the war against the Islamic terrorist group Hamas in Gaza also drew large crowds demanding the return of the 59 hostages still held in the enclave.
The agency is currently investigating the "Qatargate" scandal, involving payments from that country to Netanyahu's advisors to create a pro-Qatar campaign. Years earlier, Shabak had learned that the country was also funding the Islamic terrorist group Hamas in Gaza.
Netanyahu is also facing heightened tensions with Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, whom he accused of "dangerous betrayal" and "an attempt to usurp the government" by taking a stand against Bar's dismissal.
Furthermore, the president has been in court several days a week since December 10th to face trial in three corruption cases. His final testimony, scheduled for Tuesday, was canceled due to the launch of Israel's new operation against Hamas in Gaza.
Agencies contributed to this Aurora article