Israelis defy emergency restrictions to protest PM Netanyahu
Israelis opposed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his handling of the coronavirus pandemic took to the streets again on Tuesday, despite the renewal of emergency restrictions on public protest. Protesters in Jerusalem, many carrying Israeli flags, lined streets and stood in open spaces maintaining distance from one another and wearing protective masks.
- World
- Agencies and A News
- Published Date: 08:38 AM 07 October 2020
- Updated Date: 09:09 AM 07 October 2020
Thousands of Israelis protested Tuesday against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in various parts of the country, despite closures imposed by the government to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus.
They included demonstrators who staged a protest in Tel Aviv's Habima Square, according to the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation.
In Tel Aviv, drone footage broadcast on public television reported "hundreds" of people wearing masks and standing well apart in the forecourt of the Habima national theatre.
But later an AFP photographer in Tel Aviv saw scuffles between police and protesters trying to break through a cordon and march through the streets.
They carried banners reading, "Oppressor! Resign!" and a cartoon image of Netanyahu behind bars, a reference to the premier's ongoing trial for bribery, fraud and breach of trust charges. He denies all charges.
"Protesters have started walking in a procession illegally and against the rules and regulations," police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld wrote in a statement.
Police dispersed protesters in the square as well as those in Rabin Square in the same city, claiming they were violating restrictions on gatherings.
Netanyahu has been already facing corruption charges in cases that include bribery, breach of trust and fraud.
Netanyahu, who has denied any wrongdoing, formed a national unity government with Blue and White party leader Benny Gantz in April this year.
Late Monday night the government announced that a meeting of the coronavirus cabinet, chaired by Netanyahu, had decided to extend a state of emergency imposed last week for a further seven days.
Parliament has approved a law restricting demonstrations as part of a coronavirus-related state of emergency, that critics say is primarily aimed at silencing protests against Netanyahu.
The bill declared a state of emergency for one week, renewable for further seven-day periods.
The draconian regulations limit open-air gatherings to 20 people and bar demonstrators from travelling more than one kilometre (0.6 mile) to attend protests.
In response, localised rallies have mushroomed along with mobile phone apps giving users locations of demonstrations near their homes.
With over 270,000 coronavirus infections confirmed and over 1,700 deaths in a population of nine million, Israel currently has the world's highest weekly infection rate per capita.
A general lockdown on many retail businesses and all bars and restaurants went into force on September 18.