Protest groups plan huge Wednesday rally against firing of Shin Bet chief

Dozens of leaders of protest groups throughout the country say they plan a major demonstration in Jerusalem Wednesday, calling on Israelis to go to the capital to protest the government’s intention to fire Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar.

After meeting in Tel Aviv this morning, the groups announce their plan for a large-scale rally outside government offices as ministers meet to vote on dismissing Bar. The event will start at 8 a.m. with a large march from Motza, outside the capital. The rally will culminate at the government quarter.

Once the vote ends, demonstrators plan to march on to the Prime Minister’s Residence in central Jerusalem, where they are gearing up for a long-term stay, with tent camps.

Eran Schwartz, CEO of the Hofshi B’Artzenu (Free in Our Land) protest group, says: “We cannot allow the coalition to fulfill its vision and completely destroy Israel. The protest is the people’s way of expressing their opposition to the regime. The majority of the people understand that what is at stake is the future of the coalition or the future of the state, and many want to come and demand the future of the state.

“The dismissal of the head of the Shin Bet while he is investigating the prime minister’s associates is not only illegitimate but also illegal, according to the attorney general’s directive. Therefore, we will join with all protest organizations and tens of thousands of citizens to protest against the dismissal of the Shin Bet head, against the [Haredi] draft-dodging law, and against the continuation of the regime coup.”