A group of about 1,000 protesters from the "Black Flag" movement, which opposes what it calls Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's attacks on the legal system and law enforcement, as well as the unity government deal, demonstrated outside the Prime Minister's Residence in Jerusalem on Sunday as Netanyahu's trial opened at the Jerusalem District Court.
Members of the movement also staged similar protests elsewhere in the country. Activists waved posters, some of which read, "Justice, you shall pursue" and Israeli flags, and declared their support for the legal system.
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"The unchecked attack on the legal system is the reason why we are waving black flags," said protest organizers.
"A person accused of crimes is not our prime minister. A defendant who incites against the justice system and the law is not our prime minister. A defendant who incites against half the people is not our prime minister," they said.
"This is a moral stance that is always correct, regardless of political situations. We will continue to take our fight to the streets," organizers said.
Participants included actor Orna Banai, who said, "There is a sense of frustration and despair and a feeling that we're always losing. I am here at this demonstration because we are in favor of the Israeli legal system. We are in favor of enforcing the law in Israel, in favor of the police. We are in favor of democracy in Israel."
Social activist Or-ly Barlev added, "It's not normal for a sitting prime minister to be indicted for crimes."
Also on Sunday, the Movement for Quality Government set up huge signs outside the Knesset and on the Bridge of Strings in Jerusalem that read, "Israel needs a full-time prime minister."
MQG Chairman Dr. Eliad Shraga said, "Netanyahu is seeking protection and dragging an entire country to the witness stand with him. It's unacceptable."
The opposition parties lent their voices to the protest and spoke out against the harsh criticism of the legal system Netanyahu voiced in court on Sunday.
Opposition leader MK Yair Lapid (Yesh Atid) said, "Netanyahu's wild and unchecked attack at the opening of his trial is final proof of why someone under criminal indictment cannot continue to serve as prime minister."
Yesh Atid MK Ofer Shelah, said, "For anyone who was still deluding themselves, everything is obvious after the horror show by Bibi and the gang who want to silence the court – we are at war. Benjamin Netanyahu vs. the State of Israel. And if we're at war, where is Defense Minister Benny Gantz? … He won't avoid the disgrace."
Gantz discussed the start of Netanyahu's trial for the first time on Sunday. In a conciliatory tweet he wrote, "Like very citizen, the prime minister is presumed innocent, and I'm certain that the legal system will give him a fair trial."
Justice Minister Avi Nissankoren tweeted something in a similar vein: "The prime minister has the presumption of innocence, and I hoped he is proved innocent in court."
Meretz MK Tamar Zandberg said, "A bunch of ministers and MKs stand up like wallpaper for wild incitement by someone accused of bribery while the prosecutor is coming up the courthouse stairs with a security detail. With Gantz's silence and Nissankoren's disgraceful tweet, they could put on masks and fade into the pillars behind Netanyahu."
