Former Shin Bet chief Yuval Diskin estimates that some 200,000 Israelis are protesting this evening, with most of them calling for Prime Minister Netanyahu to resign due to his indictment on graft charges and handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
“It’s not a question of right or left; it doesn’t matter who replaces him,” he tells Channel 12 news from a protest near his home.
Diskin, who has previously been outspoken in his criticism of Netanyahu, says those protesting believe in the right to demonstrate and that he regrets if social-distancing requires were not being upheld.
“But I understand the demonstrators’ passion. A young generation sees its future being destroyed,” he says.
He also condemns Israel’s “rotten politics” and says they must change.
“It’s just destroying the country. It’s the key existential threat to the future of our country. Look where it has brought us… look at how the people are suffering. Our leaders are showing contempt for us and contempt for the [COVID] regulations,” he says, referring to violations of the virus regulations by senior ministers and other senior officials.
Yuval Diskin addresses an online protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on March 21, 2020. (Screen capture/Channel 12)
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