Right-wing to hold anti-corruption rally in Jerusalem
Former defense minister Ya'alon, 3 Kulanu MKs and other prominent right-wing figures to hold demonstration in the capital's Zion Square in the wake of the mass protests in Tel Aviv; 'We, the public's representatives, must set a personal example and lead the national camp on the right path and keep our country Jewish and democratic,' says MK Merav Ben-Ari.
The right-wing demonstration at Jerusalem's Zion Square receives support from the coalition - Kulanu MKs Rachel Azaria, Roy Folkman and Merav Ben Ari are expected to speak at the rally.
MK Azaria said she decided to join the protest "because those who will pay the price for hurting the gatekeepers are the public. The police, the State Attorney's Office and the court are not allowed to respond to politicians' attacks, so the public and its representatives have an important role in defending those gatekeepers."
MK Ben-Ari explained that "When I heard about the protest at the beginning of the week, I wasn't sure I was going to join it. But after hearing the divisive discourse, particularly over the last few days, I decided I need to be there. The national camp must be united in support of stateliness and state institutions, in support of law enforcement authorities and in support of the liberal and social right-wing. We, the public's representatives, must set a personal example and lead the national camp on the right path and keep our country Jewish and democratic."
MKs Oren Hazan and Yehuda Glick were initially make an appearance at the rally as well, but the Likud party decided not to allow its members to attend the event, claiming it has become a demonstration against the ruling party.
Former defense minister Moshe Ya'alon, a former member of the Likud party, is also set to speak at the rally.
"I've been a soldier of this state for 50 years, and I've always shown up where I was needed," Ya'alon wrote on Twitter on Friday. "On Saturday night, I'll be at Zion Square in Jerusalem, because this is what needs to be done now to protect our values, stateliness, and the rule of law. I call on each and every one of you to come, so we could tell our children we've done everything to protect the State of Israel in this hour of need."
Also set to attend are former Otzma LeYisrael MK Aryeh Eldad, Rabbi David Menachem, Institute for Zionist Strategies Director Miri Shalem, Rabbi Yuval Cherlow, educator Malka Puterkovsky, educator and publicist Uri Heitner, Rabbi Yisrael Gillis, Rabbi Haim Baruch, Moshe (Kinley) Tur-Paz, and Kolot center director Tehila Friedman-Nachalon.
Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Tel Aviv on the last three Saturday nights to protest against government corruption. The Tel Aviv rally is expected to be held this week as well, starting at 8pm.
In addition to the protests in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, demonstrations will also be held in Rosh Pina, Nahariya, Haifa, Afula, Ness Ziona, Rehovot, Kiryat Gat, Modiin, Be'er Sehva and Eilat.
Organizers wrote on social media: "All of us together will continue the struggle against the corruption threatening the country and against the mafia laws that are being pushed in the Knesset, so government corruption could continue."
