ISRAELI PROTESTERS CALL ON PM NETANYAHU TO STEP DOWN

Sun 07 March 2021:

Thousands of Israelis protested again Saturday against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, demanding that the long-serving leader resign over corruption charges against him and alleged mishandling of the coronavirus crisis.

Demonstrators in front of Netanyahu’s residence in Jerusalem were attacked by supporters of the prime minister, according to state-owned KAN TV.

Protesters in Tel Aviv and Caesarea chanted slogans against Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption and fraud.

Protests regarding general elections set for March 23 have been continued for 37 weeks. Demonstrators have demanded the resignation of the prime minister because he is the subject of corruption cases and his failed management of the coronavirus pandemic.

Netanyahu appeared on Feb.8 in Jerusalem District Court for the resumption of his trial. He has repeatedly denied the accusations.

Israel’s Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit filed an indictment against Netanyahu on Jan. 14.

His first trial session was held last May, then it was followed by another session in July before the trial was postponed due to the coronavirus lockdown.

Netanyahu is preparing to run in the general elections, the country’s fourth round of polls in two years.

He is heading the right-wing Likud party and is the longest-serving prime minister in Israel with more than 14 years in office.

Netanyahu and his allies have used Israel’s widespread vaccination drive, in which more than a tenth of its population has been immunized, to try to undercut the protesters and their cause. They say Netanyahu is working to end Israel’s coronavirus outbreak while they just hold demonstrations.