Thousands protest against Netanyahu

JERUSALEM — Thousands of Israelis are rallying in the streets of Tel Aviv calling on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to resign over alleged corruption for the fourth consecutive week, while hundreds more gathered in Jerusalem for the first time in an anticorruption demonstration.

Israeli Police said several thousand people massed in central Tel Aviv on Saturday in the latest protest against the premier. Several hundred more attended a rightwing anti-corruption rally in Jerusalem, with speeches headlined by former defense minister Moshe Yaalon. Protesters in Jerusalem held signs reading “not right, not left, just straight”.

Police have questioned Netanyahu at least seven times, investigating two corruption allegations surrounding the four-term Israeli leader.

They have said they suspect him of being involved in bribery, fraud and breach of trust. Netanyahu has denied any wrongdoing.

Meanwhile, ahead of a dramatic vote at the United Nations on Thursday, the United States made an unprecedented threat to fellow members of the international community: Those who vote against US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital risk diplomatic retaliation and losing American financial aid.

But when the dust settled, the biggest recipients of American aid – most of them Muslim or Arab countries – rejected the threat, leaving the White House facing a tricky dilemma as it plots a course forward for the Middle East. Key Arab allies, led by Saudi Arabia, all banded together against the U.S.—AFP.