Protests in Central Tel Aviv: What is Happening

At least 20,000 people demonstrated in central Tel Aviv on Saturday against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's new hardline right-wing government, which critics say threatens Israeli democracy, AFP reports.

The protesters gathered in a rally under the rain, waving placards condemning the 'government of shame' and calling for the 'overthrow of the dictator.'

This protest has become the largest in Israel since Netanyahu's new government came to power at the end of December in a country with just over nine million inhabitants. Netanyahu, already Israel's longest-serving prime minister, returned to power leading a coalition of far-right and ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties, some of whose representatives now head key ministries.

Protesters have called for Netanyahu, who is fighting corruption charges in court, to resign. Opposition parties have urged Israelis to join the protest against corruption and to 'save democracy,' while also protesting against the planned restructuring of the judicial system.