JERUSALEM (AP) – Thousands of Israelis held weekly demonstrations against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday, calling on the long-serving leader to resign over allegations of corruption against him and his alleged mishandling of the coronavirus crisis.
Protesters held signs that read “Go” and “Bibi, let my people go,” referring to Netanyahu by his nickname.
The protest in a Jerusalem square near Netanyahu’s official residence comes as Israel finds itself in the midst of its third national lockdown, which was recently tightened for shuttered schools, and as the country continues a leading vaccination campaign. Netanyahu’s trial was set to resume this week, but was postponed indefinitely amid tougher restrictions.
Netanyahu has been charged with bribery, fraud and breach of trust in three long-term investigations. He has denied any wrongdoing and said he was the victim of a “witch hunt” by hostile media outlets, law enforcement and judicial officials. Protesters claim Netanyahu cannot properly run the country while it is being prosecuted.
Israel has seen a recent increase in the number of cases, despite unleashing one of the world’s fastest vaccination campaigns. The country has given the first of two vaccine doses to nearly 20% of the population, and Netanyahu said Thursday that Israel has collected enough vaccines to inoculate the entire adult population by the end of March.
Netanyahu has placed vaccination at the center of his campaign for re-election that same month. On March 23, Israel will hold its fourth nationwide vote in less than two years. In the meantime, he has called on Israelis to make “one last major effort” to stop the broadcast by adhering to the tightened restrictions.