Has Washington been funding protests against Netanyahu?

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
12 Mar 2023 19:03

According to a government official close to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, the protests have been organized in such a manner that is clearly reflective of ample funding estimated to be worth millions of dollars.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) walks during a hearing at the Magistrate's Court in "Rishon Lezion", January 23, 2023 (AFP)

A report published by the Times of Israel on Sunday revealed suspicions among Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's entourage that Washington has been funding the protests against the premier's controversial judicial reforms that have been wreaking havoc within the settler population for over the past two months.

According to a government official close to the PM who requested anonymity, the protests have been organized in such a manner that is clearly reflective of ample funding estimated to be worth millions of dollars.

"We are following what is happening. This is a very high-level organization. There is an organized center from which all the demonstrators branch out in an orderly manner," the anonymous official was quoted as saying.

He added that it was "clear to us" who was behind the funding of transporting protesters, as well as the funding of flags, banners, and stages.

Another source close to Netanyahu confirmed to the news agency that the senior official was referring to Washington.

The report further notes that Netanyahu's son, Yair Netanyahu, shared an article from the right-wing website Breitbart claiming that the US was funneling cash into one of the groups involved in the protests.

Over the past ten weeks, Israelis have been rallying against the government's bill for judicial reform which they [protestors] have described as a threat to democracy.

Dismissing requests for a suspension to allow for negotiations on the contentious proposal, Netanyahu's cabinet is persistent in going through with its legislative agenda to pass the judicial reforms.

Israeli media reported the largest demonstration yet in the coastal settlement of "Tel Aviv" where protestors have amounted to around 100,000.

According to The Times of Israel, over 500,000 Israelis took part in protests across occupied Palestine on Saturday, with about 250,000 attending the nighttime protest in "Tel Aviv."

The publication said, citing police, that at least three protesters were detained during the demonstration along "Tel Aviv's Ayalon" Highway on Saturday.

Protests were also held in other settlements and occupied cities across Palestine.