In change of course, Israeli opposition leader to attend anti-government protest

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid announced in a video Wednesday evening that he will attend a Saturday evening anti-government protest in Tel Aviv.

“We’re stopping the madness, fighting for the country in Haifa, in Jerusalem, in Tel Aviv. Come defend our beloved country from democratic destruction. Yes, I will also come,” Lapid said in the short clip uploaded to social media.

Lapid was criticized for not attending previous protests against the proposed judicial overhaul, although he claimed this was per an agreement between him and former Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz, although Gantz did attend the protest last Saturday.

Protest organizers reportedly refused to let politicians speak at the demonstrations out of a desire to keep them from becoming partisan.

After Lapid announced his intention to attend this weekend, protest organizers thanked him and called on “all party leaders to come this Saturday and lead the march.”

It is not clear if Lapid will address the gathering.

Last week, more than 80,000 protestors gathered to protest proposed judicial reforms. This was a dramatic increase from the previous week when more than 10,000 protestors gathered in the city’s Habima Square.