From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, February 15, 2022
Netanyahu calls on supporters to attend rally demanding inquiry into spyware affair
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Opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu calls on his supporters to attend a rally this week demanding a state investigation into allegations that police improperly spied on Israeli citizens.
Reports have swirled over the past two weeks that the Israel Police used Pegasus spyware without judicial approval to target many public officials and activists, including multiple figures central to Netanyahu’s ongoing corruption trial.
Supporters of Netanyahu have used the accusations to demand the trial be thrown out and that he be cleared of all charges. Prosecutors have claimed that they never received any improperly obtained information and that the allegations should have no effect on the case.
“A protest in favor of a state commission of inquiry into the spying affair against Israeli citizens that is shaking Israeli democracy,” Netanyahu proclaims. “If you don’t want to brush everything under the rug, if you want to preserve the right to privacy, if you want to ensure the future of our country — show up.”
The protest is slated to be held in Habima Square in Tel Aviv on Thursday evening. Most of the allegations of improper spying concern the period when Netanyahu was in power.
The Times of Israel Community.