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Jerusalem (AFP)
The Israelis held weekly protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday, defying lockdown restrictions imposed by authorities aimed at curbing an increase in coronavirus cases.
Israel’s parliament, which currently has one of the highest per capita Covid-19 infection rates in the world, passed a law last week restricting demonstrations during an emergency shutdown.
As part of draconian measures, it restricts people to move more than a kilometer (less than a mile) from their homes.
Protests against Netanyahu have been held every Saturday since July to denounce the prime minister’s handling of the virus pandemic and the economy.
At the latest rally, people waved Israeli flags and held up banners directed at Netanyahu, whom many accuse of corruption, saying “Go away,” said the AFP journalists.
The protesters largely respected social distancing measures unlike in Tel Aviv, where thousands took to the streets and clashed with the police.
Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said that the protesters in the Israeli mall were not social distancing and “threw objects at the police officers who confronted them.”
“Police units at the scene are responding to the illegal incidents and protests,” he added.
With more than 280,000 confirmed coronavirus infections so far and more than 1,900 deaths in a population of nine million, Israel currently has the highest weekly per capita infection rate in the world.
Public anger has also deepened in recent days in Israel over a bitterly unpopular shutdown after high-profile figures reportedly violated restrictions, including Netanhayu’s wife Sara, who summoned a hairdresser to the official residence. of the prime minister.
Only essential workers are allowed to leave their residences, adding further stress to an already battered economy, while Jews have been banned from meeting friends and family during the High Holidays.
Meanwhile, the health ministry urged ultra-Orthodox Jews to observe hygiene and social distancing measures and to pray outdoors on Saturday night when they observe the Simhat Tora holiday.
© 2020 AFP
