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Submarine scandal keeps haunting Netanyahu

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was not indicted in the submarine affair, but many Israelis are demanding that the case be further investigated.
Drivers on the highway leading to Jerusalem wave Israeli national flags as they protest against the prime minister and against the second nationwide lockdown imposed by the government in a bid to stem the increase of COVID-19 infection cases, at the entrance of Jerusalem on October 14, 2020. (Photo by Ahmad GHARABLI / AFP) (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images)

An unusual demonstration took place outside Israel’s High Court on Oct. 13. Hundreds of protesters gathered there, most of them in cars carrying makeshift submarines on top of their vehicles. They drove to Jerusalem in convoys from the north and from the south of the country, calling on the authorities to investigate Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over a scandal surrounding a $2 billion submarine deal Israel had signed with Germany a few years ago. All in all, about 70 such homemade submarines were staged in Jerusalem, accompanied by black flags, the symbol of the anti-Netanyahu movement.

The two convoys — one from Kiryat Shmona in the north and the other from Beersheba in the south — drew much public and media attention. Hundreds of people came out to stand along the routes of the convoys, to express their support. The convoy that started its journey in the north made a first stop in Haifa and then a second stop in Caesarea, near the private residence of Netanyahu, where at least 1,000 protesters rallied. Light airplanes also participated, hovering over the rally. Well-known writer Meir Shalev was one of the key speakers in Caesarea, saying, "Netanyahu loves submarines. They go well with his character. Deep under water and hidden. Today we forced his submarines out of the water."

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