Protesters call for Netanyahu’s resignation at Tel Aviv rally

Some 1,500 people assembled at Tel Aviv’s Rabin Square on Thursday, calling for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to resign amid multiple police investigations into his affairs on graft suspicions.

The protesters held up signs saying, “Netanyahu resign,” “The king has no clothes” and “Bibi, go home,” referring to the prime minister by his nickname.

Netanyahu is being investigated in two separate corruption cases. As details emerge, the probes have also fueled speculation that, should he be indicted, his governing coalition could collapse, boosting the prospect of new elections. Netanyahu has denied any wrongdoing.

In the first case, police are checking whether Netanyahu and his wife Sara received some NIS 400,000-600,000 ($100,000-150,000) in gifts of cigars and fine wines from Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan. The couple have reportedly insisted that the sums involved were far lower, and that the gifts were unremarkable since the Milchans are their best friends.

The second case involves the alleged negotiations with the publisher of the Yedioth Aharonoth daily, Arnon Mozes, and focuses on the prime minister’s supposed promise to advance legislation to hobble the Sheldon Adelson-controlled Israel Hayom paper in exchange for more favorable coverage from Yedioth.

The premier is also being investigated for gifts allegedly received from other businessmen. He has been questioned by police three times in the cases.