Israelis protest Netanyahu, pandemic response

Thousands of protesters rallied outside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem on Saturday, decrying his government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic and saying he is distracted by a corruption trial.

Nearly 15,000 people took to the streets in Jerusalem alone. Placards reading "Your time is up" and "Crime Minister" could be seen amidst the sea of protesters. 

Approximately 1,000 people also protested near Netanyahu's beach house in the coastal town of Caesaria. Smaller gatherings also took place throughout the country.

Read more: What's behind Israel's growing protests?

For months, a series of weekly demonstrations have taken place across the country, drawing a growing number of people who are angry with the government's COVID-19 response and the economic impact of the pandemic.

"You'd think that a once-in-a-lifetime crisis like this would push Netanyahu to act, and it hasn't. Enough is enough," Yael, a local protester who declined to give her last name, told Reuters news agency. She lost her job at a Tel Aviv restaurant amid the downturn.

Many critics believe that Netanyahu has failed to adequately address the coronavirus crisis while he battles corruption charges. He has denied all wrongdoing. 

"Netanyahu is fighting to get Israel's economy back to normal and to transfer funds and grants to Israeli citizens," the prime minister's right-wing Likud party said in a statement. The party also referred to the protests as "left-wing riots" and called the demonstrators "anarchists."

Israel began lifting its coronavirus-induced partial lockdown in May, however critics argue the move came too quickly. The country is struggling to deal with the economic repercussions of the pandemic amid a renewed surge in COVID-19 cases.

Read more: Violent protests in Israel: When far-right football fans take to the streets

see/dr (AP, Reuters)