Masked demonstrators erected a pop-up exhibition at Tel Aviv's Rabin Square on Sunday as an act of protest the government, as its two major factions, Likud and Blue & White, are at loggerheads and refuse to convene the cabinet.
Wearing masks with the faces of Israeli lawmakers, members of Darkenu - a grassroots movement of moderates - set up a table laden with seasonal fruit, pastries and champagne near Tel Aviv Town Hall, with the names of Israelis who died of coronavirus in the background.
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'A Meeting of a Disconnected Government' pop-up exhibition at Tel Aviv's Rabin Square
(Photo: Moti Kimchi)
The exhibition, titled "A Meeting of a Disconnected Government", follows weeks of political stagnation as Likud and Blue & White have repeatedly failed to negotiate terms for a state budget.
Government meetings were canceled mainly due to disagreement between the parties over government regulations that will guarantee both sides would have an equal vote on matters pertaining to the budget.
Blue & White postponed all meetings indefinitely for fear Likud would use the situation to snatch the issue and pass a budget.
Darkenu CEO Yair (Yaya) Fink berated the government for the long stall in legislation and its burly handling of the coronavirus crisis.
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Protesters donning masks of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Benny Gantz at 'A Meeting of a Disconnected Government' pop-up exhibition at Tel Aviv's Rabin Square
(Photo: Moti Kimchi)
"This government was formed because of a health emergency and financial crisis, but in practice, it's a government of stagnation that cannot even gather," Fink said. "For the past month and a half, ministers were not meeting and were not convening the Ministerial Committee for Legislation. Is this an emergency government to handle coronavirus? It's failed government."
"Nearly one million unemployed, more than 1,000 dead, and a prime minister whose only concern is to escape trial," Fink said, referring to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's indictment on three corruption charges.
"We call for the passing of a state budget posthaste and the establishment of a state committee of inquiry into the scandals of the coronavirus crisis in the fields of health and economy. This bloated government must come to its senses and ministers must quit indulging themselves and their legal future and start acting as elected officials who care about the million unemployed who are collapsing under this crisis."