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A few thousand protesters calling for Benjamin Netanyahu’s resignation have gathered in Jerusalem, despite the Israeli national lockdown that took effect on Friday.
The prime minister has faced months of relentless protests and widespread public anger over his government’s handling of the country’s coronavirus crisis and charges of alleged corruption.
Public demonstrations are still allowed under lockdown rules. However, there has been criticism from Netanyahu’s allies and even supporters of the protest movement that they should be suspended during the shutdown as infections rise.
Nathan Brand, 56, a video producer at the rally, said he was “no stranger” to the risks of large crowds. “I have kids at home and a wife, and I’m worried about them, and I’m worried about my mother, and I’m worried about my family and friends. But I also believe that we should continue to demonstrate against [Netanyahu] that he is a thief. I’m not kidding. He’s a vampire … He doesn’t say a word of truth. “
Police said in a statement that officers had tried to divide protesters into smaller groups to prevent crowds from getting too close, but that the protesters removed the barricades. Meanwhile, some protest leaders had drawn chalk marks on the ground so that people could stay away from each other.
Having entered a second lockdown that will cover a normally festive period of the Jewish holiday, Israel is on the brink. Reports spread late Sunday of an attempt to ram protesters after a car sped down a road toward the rally at high speed and came to a sudden stop. Police arrested a man, witnesses said.
One protester, Sharon Sagi, a choreographer and dancer, said she believes Netanyahu imposed a lockdown so he could delay his trial for corruption and use the coronavirus as an excuse. The leader, who denies the allegations, saw a hearing earlier this year postponed by the courts due to the virus.
“Mr. Netanyahu has been making fun of us for too many years,” Sagi said. “We are not leaving this place until there is a really profound change.”
