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Demonstration against Netanyahu's government in front of the Knesset
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ABIR SULTAN / EPA
The old Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is again the new Prime Minister in Israel after the swearing-in of his new right-wing religious alliance.
Concerned people in the country are now reacting with the first protests.
Hundreds of protesters blocked an expressway in Tel Aviv on Thursday evening.
They insisted on the rights of the LGBTQ community in Israel.
Activists also demonstrated in front of the Knesset.
LGBTQ is the English abbreviation for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer.
The demonstrators fear restrictions after anti-gay statements by coalition members.
According to the Times of Israel, Hila Peer, chairwoman of the LGBTQ association, said at the protest: "Darkness has descended on Israel." The association emphasized that it was not prepared to become "second-class citizens".
Prime Minister Netanyahu of the right-wing conservative Likud party has said the community has nothing to fear.
Amir Ochana of his Likud party became the first openly gay politician to be elected Speaker of Parliament on Thursday.
In an emotional speech addressing his parents and spouse, as well as their children, Ochana reiterated that no harm would be done to alternative families.
However, Israeli media reported that two strictly religious MPs demonstratively lowered their heads during the speech.
"Danger to the democratic character of Israel and its values"
The Israeli ambassador in Paris, Jael German, resigned on Thursday in protest against the new government.
She cannot support the radical reform intentions of Netanyahu's coalition, she wrote in a letter to the head of government.
She warned of a "danger to the democratic character of Israel and its values."
The new government was sworn in in Parliament on Thursday.
It is the most right-wing government Israel has ever had.
Right-wing extremist politicians are also represented in the coalition for the first time.
mrc/dpa
