Aug 8, 2017

"This is a demonstration of the left … it’s anti-constitutional and anti-democratic. They say it explicitly, 'We want to influence decision-makers,'" chairman of the coalition David Bitan was heard saying at the Likud Party’s demonstration on the evening of Aug. 5, next to the home of Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit in Petach Tikva. His words reflect a dangerous confusion of basic terms of democratic rule.

Bitan, alongside Minister of Communications Ayoob Kara, Deputy Minister Yaron Mazuz and Knesset members Amir Ohana and Nava Boker of the Likud, headed several hundred Likud members who gathered as part of a counterprotest to the demonstrations that have been taking place at Mandelblit’s home for 37 weeks in a row. These protests began at the end of 2016, even before the investigations of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Case 1000 (gifts from businessmen) and Case 2000 (conversations with Yedioth Ahronoth publisher Arnon Mozes over a deal for positive coverage of Netanyahu) became public. These protests were organized by left-wing activists to pressure Mandelblit to quickly advance investigations of the prime minister, since they feared he is delaying them in order to allow Netanyahu to evade them. With the significant developments in these cases, an element of protest against corruption was added to these weekly demonstrations, which grew from a few dozen protesters to several thousands.

Many of the demonstrators feel that even if the investigation process has not been finalized yet, Netanyahu is guilty and should resign from office — and the attorney general is protecting him and his wife. They call Mandelblit “the family lawyer.” One could argue that as time passes the investigations of Netanyahu uncover more issues, and it seems that the law enforcement system has indeed worked this whole time. The prosecution even signed two state witness agreements with key figures — Ari Harow and Miki Ganor — in cases that involve Netanyahu.

The protesters argue that any advancement in the investigations is a result of the pressure of the protests. We can only hope that this is not the case, and that the attorney general is acting independently and is not influenced by the de-legitimization campaign against him.

The attempt to play down the political motives of the demonstrators is unnecessary. The vast majority were not among Netanyahu supporters or the right even before the investigations began. This is all the more true for Labor Party activist Eldad Yaniv, who is the driving force behind promoting the demonstrations on the social networks. He had already come to the conclusion a year ago that Mandelblit is corrupt and is covering for the prime minister. The political motivation behind the demonstrations is legitimate and understandable, and is a sign of a healthy democracy. But the decision by Knesset members from the left, and now also from the right, to participate in the protests next to the home of the attorney general shows a lack of understanding of their role in the democratic system of checks and balances and the principle of the separation of powers.