(Adnkronos) – Appeals to demonstrate in Israel came from Israeli opposition parliamentarians after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Yair Golan, leader of ‘The Democrats’, born from the alliance between Labor and Meretz, called for a strike in Israel.
The opposition is challenging Netanyahu’s choice, which it considers politically motivated and detrimental to Israel’s security. “The head of government chose those who evade conscription over those who do military service,” said opposition leader Yair Lapid, accusing Netanyahu of having torpedoed Gallant – who will no longer be in his place from Thursday evening – to push forward the controversial exemption from conscription for some ultra-Orthodox.
The premier’s decision was also criticized by Benny Gantz and Avigdor Lieberman, in what appears to be a rare show of unity from an often divided opposition. Last night thousands took to the streets of Tel Aviv to demonstrate their anger after Netanyahu’s choice. They blocked the Ayalon Highway with burning tires and accused Netanyahu of being a “traitor”, contesting the “criminal government”. Forty people were arrested.