Thousands rally in support of Netanyahu, against legal establishment and media

Accusations that the media is obsessed with the prime minister dominated Tuesday’s event.

By World Israel News Staff

A rally in support of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took place on Tuesday night, at which thousands of demonstrators complained of unfair treatment from the State Attorney’s Office as it investigates the premier in connection with three cases of alleged corruption.

Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit is expected to announce in the coming weeks whether Netanyahu is to be indicted in any or all of the cases.

The rally took place in a city square in Petah Tikva, east of Tel Aviv, where Mandelblit lives.

Demonstrators argued that they were defending democracy, promoting the charge that the allegations against the prime minister are part of a witch-hunt against the right-wing Netanyahu by what they called a left-wing establishment.

The rally was intended to counteract weekly demonstrations which have taken place in Petah Tikva, at which protesters have called on the attorney general to speed up the investigations into allegations against the prime minister and bring him to justice.

One of the speakers at Tuesday’s event charged that the media are obsessed with the prime minister, giving “disproportionate” coverage to his criminal investigations, wishing to bring Netanyahu down and not truly interested in searching out the truth.

Justice Minister Amir Ohana, of Netanyahu’s Likud party, also blasted the State Attorney’s Office and the media on Tuesday.

“Almost no one dares to expose the dangerous symbiosis between officials in the investigatory branch, the attorney’s office and the media,” Ohana said.

The uncertainty over Netanyahu’s legal fate has been a central issue in the continuing efforts to form a new government following the September 17 Knesset election, casting a shadow over the political future of the incumbent four-term prime minister.