Mass protests in 'Israel' disrupt Netanyahu, Austin plans: Media

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
8 Mar 2023 18:25

Israeli media suggest that mass protests against the Israeli government delayed the arrival of the US Defense Secretary in "Israel".

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin attends a NATO Defense Ministers meeting at the Alliance headquarters in Brussels, Oct. 21, 2021 (Reuters)

The program of US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's visit to "Israel" in terms of both when and where has been changed, probably due to the mass protests set to take place on Thursday against the so-called "judicial reforms" of Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, The Times of "Israel" reported.

According to the newspaper, Austin was set to land in occupied Palestine later Wednesday. However, a new schedule by the Israeli occupation's Security Ministry indicated that he will arrive on Thursday morning.

Moreover, instead of meeting in a typical location such as the Israeli occupation Security Minister's office in "Tel Aviv", The Times of "Israel" said Israeli occupation Security Minister Yoav Gallant and Austin will meet and issue a statement to the press at the "Israel" Aerospace Industries headquarters next to the Ben Gurion Airport in the occupied city of Al-Lydd.

The newspaper suggested that the move is understood to be related to Thursday's protests, where protesters are expected to block the entrance to Ben Gurion Airport and other main roads.

The Times of "Israel" also noted that Netanyahu is set to head to the airport by helicopter from occupied Al-Quds for his departure on the same day to avoid the road closures.

This comes as thousands of illegal Israeli settlers took to the streets of "Tel Aviv" again on Saturday, marking the ninth consecutive week of protesting the Netanyahu government's judicial overhaul bid.