Some 10,000 demonstrators gathered outside the official residence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday and thronged the streets of central Jerusalem, as weeks of protests against the Israeli leader appear to be gaining steam.
The demonstration in central Jerusalem, along with smaller gatherings in Tel Aviv, near Netanyahu's house in Caesarea in central Israel, and at dozens of busy intersections nationwide, was one of the largest turnouts in weeks of protests.
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Throughout the summer, thousands of Israelis have taken to the streets, calling for Netanyahu to resign, protesting his handling of the country's coronavirus crisis and saying he should not remain in office while on trial for corruption charges. Though Netanyahu has tried to play down the protests, the twice-a-week gatherings show no signs of slowing.
Israeli media estimated at least 10,000 people demonstrated near the Prime Minister's Residence in central Jerusalem. Late Saturday, thousands marched through the streets in a noisy but orderly rally. Demonstrators hoisted Israeli flags and blew loud horns as they marched. Many held posters that said "Crime Minister" and "Bibi Go Home" or accused Netanyahu of being out of touch with the public. Others chanted "End the Occupation."
Joint Arab List Chairman MK Ayman Odeh said on Twitter that he would attend the protest in Jerusalem: "I took a one-hour time-out from the [Eid al-Adha] festivities to protest [outside the Prime Minister's Residence] on Balfour Street. Getting rid of Netanyahu and the corruption and racism he represents is the first step toward the fundamental reform we need here."
Twelve protesters were arrested in Jerusalem on charges of disturbing the public order, operating an aerial drone unlawfully, and attacking a police officer, according to police.
Hundreds of people remained in the area well after midnight, ignoring calls by police to leave. Anti-riot forces moved into the area and began clearing out people. As of 2 a.m., most of the remaining people appeared to be leaving peacefully, but police were seen dragging some activists away.
Some 2,000 people gathered at Tel Aviv's Charles Chlore Beach to highlight the difficulties facing self-employed Israelis, small business owners, restaurant owners, and actors and performers during the coronavirus pandemic. Demonstrators called on the government to transfer them bailout funds and allow them to reopen banquet halls and restaurants.
"The people demand economic justice," some people shouted.
Actors have called on the government to reopen theaters and allow them to return to the stage to make a living.
"We've been sitting at home for five months. We've been forgotten. This is our time to make our voices heard," said actor Dov Navon.
The rallies against Netanyahu are the largest Israel has seen since 2011 protests over the country's high cost of living.
Netanyahu has dismissed the demonstrators as "leftists" and "anarchists." Late on Saturday, his Likud party issued a statement that accused Israel's two private TV stations of giving "free and endless publicity" to the protesters and exaggerating the importance of the gatherings.
While the demonstrations have largely been peaceful, there have been signs of violence in recent days. Some protesters have clashed with police, accusing them of using excessive force, while small gangs affiliated with a far-right group have assaulted demonstrators. Netanyahu has claimed demonstrators are inciting violence against him.
Israeli police have arrested some 20 far-right activists in recent days and police said they were on high alert for violence at the demonstrations. Several arrests of Netanyahu supporters were reported Saturday, including a man who got out of his car in the northern city of Haifa and threw a stone toward a crowd of protesters. Police said a 63-year-old woman was slightly hurt.
The demonstrations are organized by a loose-knit network of activist groups, such as Peace Now, the "Black Flag" movement, and others. Some object to Netanyahu remaining in office while he is on trial. He has been charged with fraud, breach of trust, and accepting bribes in a series of scandals.
Opposition leader MK Yair Lapid (Yesh Atid) attended a demonstration in Rishon Lezion on Saturday and MK Yair Golan (Meretz) called on people to protest.
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"Decisions are made in the government, laws are made in the Knesset, change is made in the street… We are in a war for our home. We must win!" he said.
The Black Flag movement said in a statement: "Israel is in a state of complete chaos because it is being run by a man charged with committing crimes who has decided that he doesn't care about running the country – just his legal defense. The economy is collapsing, more than one million people are unemployed and he is busy from dusk to dawn inciting and destroying the foundation of Israeli society. The incitement, the results of which we saw in the various attacks [on protesters] last week, won't stop us. The Black Flag movement is calling on the citizens of Israel not to bow to the incitement and fear-mongering. Go to the bridges, the junctions, come to Balfour and the home of the accused [Netanyahu] in Caesarea. This country belongs to the citizens, not to the accused."
