Thousands of Israelis march against corruption calling on 'crime minister' Netanyahu to resign

Thousands of Israelis march against corruption calling on 'crime minister' Netanyahu to resign
Thousands of Israelis marched on Saturday night for the third week running in central Tel Aviv to demand legal action against 'corrupt' people in the government and their resignation.
2 min read
17 December, 2017
Protesters waved Israeli flags and signs reading 'crime minister' [Getty]
Thousands of Israelis are calling on Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to resign at a demonstration in central Tel Aviv.

Israel's Channel 2 News reported several thousand attended Saturday's rally, the latest in anti-corruption protests that have persisted for weeks.

Protesters waved Israeli flags and signs reading "crime minister." Others chanted "corrupt (officials) go home."

Police questioned Netanyahu for the seventh time on Friday investigating two corruption allegations surrounding the long-ruling Israeli leader.

They have said they suspect him of being involved in bribery, fraud and breach of trust.

Netanyahu has denied any wrongdoing and dismisses the accusations as a witch hunt by a hostile media.

In one investigation, he is suspected of illegally receiving gifts from rich personalities including Australian billionaire James Packer and Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan.

In a second case, police suspect Netanyahu sought a secret pact for favourable coverage with the publisher of the top-selling Yediot Aharonot newspaper.

The alleged scheme, not believed to have been finalised, would have seen him receive favourable coverage in return for helping curb Yediot's competitor, the pro-Netanyahu freesheet Israel Hayom.

The 68-year-old premier has not been formally implicated, and according to Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, he would not be required to resign if charged with an offence.

The weekly protests are gaining steam, but fewer turned out Saturday than last week.

Organisers are pressuring authorities to press charges that oust Netanyahu.