"Herzog is burying his head in the sand and insists on bringing 'bibism' into the president's house through the front door," the movement said in a statement, prior to the protest.
The movement continued, saying that the appointment of the man who served as Netanyahu's spokesman for the past two tumultuous years was like "spitting in the face of over half the public, which has rejected the division and incitement in which Mr. Ihia took an active part."
The movement said that the appointment "pollutes the unifying role that the president's office is supposed to represent," telling Herzog that they "won't allow [him] a minute of rest," and that they demand he come to his senses and rescind the appointment.
Herzog has made efforts to negotiate with representatives from the movement, according to a report by independent activist-journalist Orly Bar-Lev.
¹מתברר שהנשיא הנבחר הרצוג הזמין לפגישת "הידברות" כמה מהמפגינים נגד מינוי הדובר. רוב המפגינים בקבוצות השונות ששמעתי מתנגדים ל"הידברות" כזו ורואים בה ניסיון למסמס את המחאה.המפגינים (ולא רק מקריים מיניסטר) מדגישים שאיש אינו מייצג אותם.זו הודעה שפורסמה לפני זמן קצר מקריים מיניסטר: pic.twitter.com/5UVCJMihkl
— Or-ly Barlev ~ אור-לי ברלב (@orlybarlev) July 2, 2021
The movement reportedly rejected any offers to negotiate, demanding Ihia's appointment be canceled outright, and saying the move was a "transparent attempt" to divide the protesters, one which the movement said would only strengthen the demonstrators' convictions.
Before the Tel Aviv protest begins however, Crime Minister activists met in Jerusalem for their weekly "until he leaves" protest in front of the prime ministerial residence on Balfour street, to protest the opposition leader's extended stay at the residence.Exactly two weeks ago, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett sent Netanyahu a letter saying he must evacuate the prime minister's residence within two weeks.