Netanyahu's son relocates due to activist harassment and media misinformation

Yair Netanyahu © U.S. Embassy Jerusalem

Yair Netanyahu, son of Israel's ex-Prime Minister, has chosen to leave the country. This decision followed repeated instances of harassment, including from activists opposing the judicial reform.

During a recent court hearing in Tel Aviv, Netanyahu's attorney, Uriel Hur Nizri, revealed this information. The hearing centered on Yair's complaint against Ofir Gutelzon, an activist whom Netanyahu claimed had been harassing him. However, as Gutelzon was abroad, the court couldn't reach a decision, forcing Netanyahu to retract his complaint.

Moreover, Yair has also been troubled by disinformation from a blogger publishing distorted details of his life in the USA. This misinformation was the final straw in his decision to leave.

According to Haaretz, Netanyahu attended the hearings remotely via video conference due to his absence from Israel.

Protests Against Judicial Reform in Israel

In 2023, Israel witnessed one of its most significant series of protests, spurred by the new government's decision on judicial reform.

These actions stand against the reform proposed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet and have been taking place in Tel Aviv and other major cities every Saturday since early January, and sporadically across the country.

The protests peaked on March 11th when about half a million citizens joined in. This gathering was the largest in Israel's history.

Such protests were a continuation of political instability in the country. After the 2018 crisis, the 2021 elections were pivotal, leading to the formation of a coalition that later collapsed in 2022.

These events led to another election, with Yair Lapid's ruling party giving way to a right-wing coalition led by Benjamin Netanyahu. Consequently, Netanyahu resumed the role of Prime Minister on December 29, 2022.

Just a few days after returning to power, on January 4, 2023, the new Justice Minister, Yariv Levin, presented ambitious plans to reform the judicial system.

These plans aim to reduce the powers of the Supreme Court, make changes to the roles of legal advisors, and ensure the ruling coalition's dominance in the judges' appointment committee.

This decision has caused concern and dissatisfaction among citizens, resulting in widespread protests organized by various community groups.