Israeli nationals protest against Netanyahu government

Israeli nationals in Cyprus on Monday held a protest outside the presidential palace against the controversial judicial reform promoted by Israel’s current government.

The protest happened against the backdrop of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Cyprus for a  tripartite meeting with President Nikos Christodoulides and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Protesters blared horns and held up signs chanting, “It must be nice to sleep in a democracy.”

Holding Israeli flags, they were also heard shouting “shame”, “no to dictatorship”, “democracy will prevail, Netanyahu in prison” and “save Israel’s democracy”.

According to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), most of the demonstrators outside the palace were Israeli nationals residing in Cyprus.

Several of them told the media that they intend to protest throughout the entire duration of the three-way meeting.

They explained that their protest is against the judicial reform in Israel which is being pushed forward while Netanyahu is undergoing trial for corruption charges.

A month ago, a similar protest by Israeli nationals took place outside a hotel in Paphos, where the Israeli Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, a staunch supporter of judicial reform, was vacationing with his family.

Demonstrators outside the Presidential Palace (Photos: Christos Theodorides)