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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has lambasted the charges levelled against him as an "attempt to depose a strong right-wing leader" and topple him "in any way possible", while making a statement in court. He said his opponents were hoping to use this trial as a means to remove "right-wing [political parties]" from the Israeli political landscape for "many years" to come.Israelis are sharpy divided for and against Bibi:
Netanyahu also said that he will be "standing tall, head high" throughout the corruption trial. The prime minister went on to accuse the prosecutors of trying to "tailor" a criminal case against him using "contaminated" and exaggerated evidence.
"These investigations were tainted and stitched-up from the first moment", Netanyahu commented on the case against him.
The prime minister previously blasted the cases against him as an "attempted coup" following Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit's announcement that he would indict Netanyahu on three criminal cases known as case 1000, case 2000, and case 4000.
The rival protests hit the streets on Sunday as Netanyahu appeared before the Jerusalem district court for its first hearing. [...]
Those venting anger at Netanyahu - the first sitting Israeli PM to stand trial in court - unfurled a banner that read "Crime Minister" in a reference to allegations that he engaged in fraud and accepted bribes from wealthy friends.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu's supporters chanted slogans against what they said was an unfair trial against their leader. This group later took to the courthouse and booed Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, who filed the indictments against Netanyahu.
Police have sealed off several streets around the court and the PM's house on Balfour Street, but both demonstrations have so far been peaceful.
Hashtag #GraciasIran [Thank you, Iran] has been launched on Twitter to mark the occasion, with netizens hailing the cooperation between Tehran and Caracas in defiance of the de facto naval blockade by the US.The Fortune had a rough ride into the Venezuelan port:
Fortune is followed by the other four Iranian tankers - the Clavel, the Forest, the Faxon and the Petunia - all en route to Venezuela's shores. The vessels are expected to deliver a total of about 1.5 million barrels of oil to Caracas. Despite boasting the world's largest proven oil reserves, the country has been struggling to cover its domestic supply needs, with its energy industry ravaged by crippling US sanctions.
Shortly before the passage, Iran issued a stern warning to the US, noting that although Tehran is not interested in another flare-up, it would not hesitate to respond to any provocation.
"We hope the Americans will not make a mistake," Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said.
While the Trump administration has largely refrained from commenting on the impending delivery, which would be in violation of US sanctions on both Venezuela and Iran, Reuters quoted a senior White House official as saying last week that Washington was considering steps it could take in response to the fuel transfer.
Venezuela, for its part, claimed that the tankers were facing "the threat of imminent use of military force" from the US, vowing to accompany the Iranian vessels with military aircraft and ships to protect them from any potential assault.
Comment: Once again, we find how the CDC has been manipulating the data. The Atlanta's interpretation that 'the gains made may be inaccurate' is flat out disingenuous when looking at the big picture. The bottom line is that the COVID-19 infection rate has been massively inflated, and that is what they needed to compel and maintain shutdowns.