Links
Israel investigates human rights groups
More than 10,000 Israelis demonstrated on Saturday for "the defense of democracy" after parliament decided to probe the funding of left-wing NGOs and rights groups, an AFP correspondent said.
"This is one of the most important demonstrations in years. It is important for our message to be heard by the government," one of the organizers, Yariv Oppenheimer, told AFP.
Organizers said up to 15,000 demonstrators, most of the Jews but including Arabs, gathered in downtown Tel Aviv and then marched to the museum where they held a rally.
The demonstration was organized following calls by several groups and leftist parties for "the defense of democracy while it is still possible."
Protesters held Israeli and Palestinian flags and banners with messages that read: "Let's protect democracy so that it can protect us"; "Democracy cannot be built on racist laws" and "Mad right: a danger for Israel."