Ashkenazi calls for fines against demonstrators to be canceled

Blue and White MK Gabi Ashkenazi calls for fines imposed on people who demonstrated in front of his home earlier this morning to be canceled.

“Even in current circumstances freedom of speech and the right to protest must be maintained so long as protesters adhere to Health Ministry regulations,” Ashkenazi tweets in an apparent contradiction, as violating the regulations is exactly what they were fined for.

Police handed out fines of as much as NIS 5,000 as dozens of people demonstrated in violation of Health Ministry regulations allowing protests in group of no more than 10 and called on Ashkenazi to realize that Netanyahu was taking him and Blue and White leader Benny Gantz “for a ride” in negotiations for a national unity government.

“The right to demonstrate is a fundamental democratic right. I call on the public security minister and the acting police commissioner to annul the fines handed out to the demonstrators this morning,” the Blue and White No. 2 says.

Blue and White No.2 Gabi Ashkenazi attends the annual international Municipal Innovation Conference in Tel Aviv, February 19, 2020. (Miriam Alster/Flash90)