Ex-Shin Bet Chief Warns Against Assassinating Judges in Israel

World

April 27th, 6:36am

Asharq Al-Awsat

Protesters wearing masks wave Israeli and black flags as a sign of protest, during a demonstration against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's caretaker government, accusing it of undemocratic measures, outside the Knesset in Jerusalem, March 25, 2020. Photo by REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun.

Karmi Gillon, a former head of the domestic intelligence service Shin Bet, has warned that Israeli judges could be assassinated as a result of a provocation against the judicial body. He blamed the deal between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his election rival Benny Gantz for destroying Israel’s parliament and warned the PM to stop the incitement campaign against the country’s top judges. Gillon made these statements in front of around 2,000 people protesting against corruption in Tel Aviv. This was one of three protests that took place Saturday evening, then a fourth on Sunday. The demonstrations were against the current government’s policy and the Netanyahu-Gantz deal. He added that he was head of Shin Bet when former prime minister Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated in 1995. Gillon continued that he met Netanyahu back then and warned him that the incitement rhetoric might lead to assassinating the prime minister. Once again, Gillon said, he is addressing Netnayahu to halt the incitement against judges or blood will be shed. A fifth protest was held by businessmen, and store owners who see that the government doesn’t heed the economic crises ensuing from the lockdown. Israeli media revealed that around 2,000 participated in Saturday’s protest while respecting social distancing and wearing masks to protect themselves from COVID-19. Last Monday, Netanyahu and Gantz agreed to form a unity and emergency government.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2254816/ex-shin-bet-chief-warns-against-assassinating-judges-israel