Sun 06 September 2020:
Israelis have been taking to the streets in increasing numbers for weeks, protesting against the right-wing government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The country is at a crucial juncture.
The protests, now in their 11th week, came as Israel is coping with record levels of coronavirus infections.
Demonstrators have been protesting Netanyahu’s handling of the coronavirus crisis, which has led to soaring unemployment, and they say he should step down while on trial for corruption charges.
Protesters held banners reading “Revolution” and “Get out of here” and held blue-and-white Israeli flags. A sign aimed at the prime minister was projected on a building reading in Hebrew: “Enough with you.”
The government moved quickly to contain the coronavirus last spring, but bungled the reopening of the economy and now finds itself dealing with a stronger outbreak.
The death toll has surpassed 1,000 people, and the country is considering a new lockdown to stop the rapid spike in daily infections. Israel currently has over 26,000 active COVID-19 cases.
Although the demonstrations have largely been peaceful in recent weeks, protesters scuffled with police in several locations.
At least 13 arrests were made, including that of a man who police said “was dressed up as a woman in a provocative way”.
Police also said two officers were lightly injured when a crowd burst through a police blockade.
Netanyahu has vowed to remain in office despite being charged last year with bribery, fraud and breach of trust in three long-running corruption investigations.
He has denied the allegations, calling them a “witch-hunt” and lashing out at the judiciary, law enforcement and media.
