Benjamin Netanyahu met by protests during London visit

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
24 Mar 14:18
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Protests chase Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, even in Berlin and now in London.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Downing Street in London, March 24, 2023 (AP)

As soon as he reached 10 Downing street on Friday, Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was met with shouts and whistles from hundreds of protesters opposing the Israeli government's proposed "juridical overhaul".

On the steps of Downing Street, Netanyahu shook hands with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak before their low-profile meeting, while nearby protesters shouted, "Netanyahu go to jail, you can't speak for Israel."

The London scenes echoed those in Berlin earlier this month, where hundreds gathered at the Brandenburg Gate to protest the Israeli government's planned "judicial overhaul" to limit the Israeli Supreme Court's power, which ignited weeks of mass protests that further exposed the division in Israeli society.

The Berlin protests came in parallel with Netanyahu's visit to the German capital, where he met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz who expressed concerns about the "judicial overhaul".

Hundreds of protesters outside Downing Street this morning as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives in London to meet with Rishi Sunak. pic.twitter.com/kHZfzzJfpp
— Josh Gafson (@JoshGafson1) March 24, 2023

Reuters reported that "broadcasters had expected to be able to film the start of a meeting between Sunak and Netanyahu but that appeared to have been canceled on Friday."

The news agency said in recent weeks, anti-Netanyahu protesters have taken part in several large demonstrations in London.

In a nearby protest on the other side, demonstrators waved Palestinian flags and raised pro-Palestinian banners at a protest outside the gates of Downing Street to condemn the Israeli occupation and its crimes against Palestinians.

#endapartheid Netanyahu not welcome in London #FreePalestine pic.twitter.com/wgKk8UE0wK
— PSC (@PSCupdates) March 24, 2023

Following the meeting, the Israeli occupation Prime Minister's office said Netanyahu's conversation with Sunak centered around Iran's nuclear activity and that he thanked the British Prime Minister for his stance on the file but noted that more pressure needed to be imposed against Iran.

On Thursday, Netanyahu said in a televised address that he was determined to advance the "judicial reforms" but claimed that he wanted to reach a solution acceptable to both supporters and critics of the proposal.

"I will do everything, everything, to bring calm and end division among the people," the Israeli occupation Prime Minister alleged, after months of protests, including objections from high-level officials.

Before Netanyahu's address, Israeli lawmakers voted 61 against 47 to approve an amendment to one of "Israel's" Basic Laws, specifying the conditions for the temporary removal of an Israeli premier.

The previous version of the law stated that an Israeli Prime Minister could be declared incapacitated but did not specify on what grounds or lay out the necessary steps.

Netanyahu's visit to London comes days after Israeli occupation Foreign Minister Eli Cohen met with his British counterpart James Cleverly in the city for talks.

Cohen and Cleverly signed an agreement called the 2030 Road Map for UK-Israeli Bilateral Relations to boost trade and security ties between "Israel" and the UK.

Fully support the protest at #Downingstreet today on the visit of @netanyahu. Instead of welcoming #Netanyahu & his brutal extremist gov’t, we call on @RishiSunak to impose sanctions on #Israel until it ends #apartheid, ethnic cleansing & violence against the Palestinians. pic.twitter.com/7w5Eed2d1u
— Unite International (@UniteInt) March 24, 2023

In response, the Palestinian Mission to the UK and the opposition Labour party raised concerns about the recent agreement.

Scenes from the No to apartheid! Netanyahu not welcome here protest outside Downing Street, London 🔥🔥🔥

'From the river to the sea Palestine will be free' 🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸#FreePalestineNow #EndIsraeliApartheid pic.twitter.com/pU7deTGFJJ
— Socialist Worker (@socialistworker) March 24, 2023

Palestinian Ambassador to Britain, Husam Zomlot, considered that the UK-Israeli treaty "represents an abdication of the UK’s responsibilities under international law and the UK’s unique historic responsibility for the Palestinian issue."

'Israel' Eroding From Within

For months, upheaval and chaos took the Israeli occupation entity by storm. Violent clashes erupted between the opposition and police, as Israeli settlers protest against the government’s judicial reforms. Appeals for civil disobedience and riots have been met with stern warnings from both sides, as political rifts are widening and warning against the outbreak of a “civil war”.