Protests against the new Netanyahu government in Israel

After the swearing in of Israel’s new right-wing religious government, the first protests have already erupted. Hundreds of protesters blocked a highway in Tel Aviv last night. They insisted on the rights of the LGBTQ community in Israel. LGBTQ is the English acronym for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer. They fear restrictions after homophobic statements by members of the coalition.

According to the Times of Israel, Hila Ber, president of the LGBTQ Association, said at the protest, “It’s dark for Israel.” The association emphasized that it was not ready to become a “second-class citizen”.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of the right-wing conservative Likud party said the community had nothing to fear. Amir Oshana of his Likud party became the first openly gay politician to be elected Speaker of Parliament.

In an emotional speech addressed to his parents and wife, as well as their children, Oshana reiterated that no harm would be done to surrogate families. However, Israeli media reported that two strictly religious members of Parliament lowered their heads during the speech.

The ambassador resigned in protest

The Israeli ambassador to Paris, Yael German, resigned yesterday in protest against the new government. In a letter to the prime minister, she wrote that she could not support the radical reform intentions of Netanyahu’s coalition. And she warned of “a danger to the democratic character of Israel and its values.”

The new government was sworn in yesterday in parliament. It is the most right-wing government Israel has ever known. Far-right politicians are also represented in the coalition for the first time.