Hundreds of Israelis protested Benjamin Netanyahu outside his Jerusalem residence as Israeli Prime Minister faces corruption charges
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JERUSALEM – Hundreds of Israelis protested Benjamin Netanyahu outside his Jerusalem residence on Saturday night as the Israeli prime minister faces corruption charges.
The demonstration was fueled by the arrest of seven protesters on Friday, who staged a smaller demonstration against Netanyahu’s continuation as prime minister despite being under indictment. Protesters held placards describing Netanyahu as a “crime minister”.
Among the seven detainees was a former general general of the Israeli air force. On Saturday, Israeli police said the protest the day before was “illegal” because protesters blocked the roads.
Three of the protesters, including the retired brig. General Amir Haskel was detained for rejecting the police release terms and insisting on participating in Saturday’s protest, Israeli media reported.
Last month, Netanyahu’s trial on charges of fraud, breach of trust and acceptance of bribes was opened in a Jerusalem court. It is scheduled to resume next month.
Netanyahu’s new government took office last month, ending more than a year of political stalemate.
Under a power-sharing agreement, Netanyahu was allowed to remain prime minister, while his rival, Benny Gantz, was appointed defense minister and alternate prime minister.
The two men agreed to change jobs after 18 months, although many analysts do not expect the government to last that long.
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