Israelis protest against Netanyahu, the government’s handling of the COVID-19 crisis

JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israeli police used water cannons to disperse protesters around Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence on Saturday as protests against him grew over alleged corruption and his handling of the coronavirus crisis.

Struck by high unemployment, a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases and the reprint of coronavirus brakes, Israelis have taken to the streets in almost daily anti-government protests.

Public anger has been compounded by alleged corruption against Netanyahu, who was tried in May for bribery, fraud and breach of trust, charges he denies.

In Jerusalem, hundreds gathered in front of the prime minister’s residence and then marched through the streets, calling for Netanyahu’s resignation as police used water cannons to disperse crowds. At least two people were arrested, police said.

In Tel Aviv, the commercial center of Israel, thousands gathered at a beachside rally, demanding better state aid from companies affected by coronavirus restrictions and from people who have lost their jobs or been granted a permit. unpaid. Unemployment is currently 21%.

Israel’s Reshet TV News said police in Tel Aviv used tear gas to try to disperse protesters who marched through the streets. She transmitted images of fights with the police. Police said there were arrests at that demonstration.

Israel reopened schools and many businesses in May, lifting restrictions that had flattened an infection curve after a partial blockade imposed in March.

But with the infection rate spiking in recent weeks, many public health experts said the government had moved too fast by neglecting to take the epidemiological steps necessary to control the pandemic once the economy reopened.

A poll by the nonpartisan Israel Democracy Institute on Tuesday found that only 29.5% of the public trusted Netanyahu’s handling of the crisis.

Netanyahu has announced numerous financial aid packages, some of which have been slow to arrive while others have come under fire for their ineffectiveness.

Israel, with a population of 9 million, has reported nearly 50,000 coronavirus cases and 400 deaths.