News / Palestine

Thousands protest outside Netanyahu's residence, urge him to resign

Sunday, 13 September 2020 1:49 AM [ Last Update: Sunday, 13 September 2020 1:53 AM ]

Israeli protesters are removed by police during an anti-government demonstration in front of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence on September 12, 2020, demanding his resignation over several corruption indictments and his handling of the coronavirus crisis. (Photo by AFP)

Thousands of Israeli protesters have demonstrated outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s official residence in the occupied Jerusalem al-Quds, calling for his resignation over corruption and mishandling of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Israeli police have reportedly detained several protesters in the course of the latest round of demonstrations.

The Saturday protests, which were being held for the 12^th consecutive week, came a day after Israel announced an agreement to establish diplomatic relations with Bahrain, the second Arab country to normalize ties with Israel in under a month and just the fourth overall.

However, the surprise announcement had little effect on the thousands of demonstrators, who have been gathering outside Netanyahu's residence every Saturday throughout the summer.

Protests against Netanyahu over his corruption trial have expanded to include demonstrations against his handling of the health crisis and the resulting economic pain.

Netanyahu has come under criticism for reopening the economy too quickly in May.

Many struggling workers and business owners fear another closure will be devastating. Many of the demonstrators are unemployed.

The previous round of protests, held last Saturday, had resulted in clashes with the Israeli police, which arrested 12 demonstrators.

Dozen arrested as anti-Netanyahu protest turns violent in Jerusalem al-Quds

Israeli police clash with people protesting against prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem al-Quds for the 11th consecutive week, arresting 12 demonstrators.

On Sep. 5, thousands of Israelis marched to Paris Square outside Netanyahu’s official residence, demanding that he resign over corruption charges and his handling of the coronavirus crisis, which has led to soaring unemployment in the occupied territories.

Holding banners reading “Revolution” and “Get out of here,” the protesters projected a sign aimed at the prime minister on a building reading in Hebrew, “Enough with you.”

Netanyahu, whose corruption trial began in May and is set to resume in January, was sworn in for a fifth term this summer after striking a unity deal with his principal election rival, former military chief Benny Gantz.

Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, faces public anger over the corruption allegations and his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, drawing thousands to the streets in almost daily protests.

Israel has seen a sharp rise in new cases after initial success at the start of the pandemic, and on Tuesday began a week-long campaign of night curfews and school closures.

Virus infection cases stand at 139,000. The death toll has also passed 1,000 amid a hasty reopening of the economy in the occupied lands.

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