Jerusalem, January 16: Israelis have staged a demonstration in protest to a decision by the Israeli parliament (Knesset) to probe the funding of left-wing rights groups.
Thousands of people marched along the streets in Tel Aviv on Saturday in a move they described as “the defense of democracy,” AFP reported.
“This is one of the most important demonstrations in years. It is important for our message to be heard,” protest organizer Yariv Oppenheimer said.
According to the organizers, up to 15,000 demonstrators gathered in downtown Tel Aviv and then marched to the city’s museum, where they held a rally.
The demonstration followed calls by a number of groups and leftist parties, who urged “the defense of democracy while it is still possible.”
Protesters held Israeli and Palestinian flags and banners, reading slogans against Israel’s racist laws, saying the rightist extremists are the real threat to Israelis.
Earlier in January, Knesset members approved a parliamentary inquiry panel to investigate the funding of rights groups, who have been supporting Palestinian rights against crimes by the Israeli army and filing lawsuits against the perpetrators abroad.
The investigation will particularly target Breaking the Silence, a group of army veterans, who testify abuses they were involved in or witnessed when they served in the Israeli army in the occupied Palestinian territories.
——–Agencies