Amid latest protests, anti-PM groups say violence against them now ‘routine’
Demonstrators gather in dozens of locations around country for Saturday rallies; woman assaulted and lightly hurt in north
Demonstrators demanding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s resignation held protests in dozens of locations around the country Saturday, the 37th week of Saturday evening rallies against the premier over his indictment on graft charges and handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
Protests were to take place outside the Prime Minister’s Residence in Jerusalem and Netanyahu’s private home in the coastal city of Caesaria. A rally was also expected in Hadera, near where Netanyahu was set to hold a campaign event.
In Yavne’el, near the Sea of Galilee, a female protester was assaulted by a young man and lightly injured. Other young men scuffled with demonstrators. Police were investigating.
The Black Flags protest movement said violence against demonstrators had become “routine.”
עשרות מפגינים הערב בכיכר הראלי בקיסריה לקראת הצעדה השבועית זה השבוע ה-37 למחאה נגד ראש הממשלה הנאשם בעבירות חמורות. "יאללה ביבי לך מכאן". קרדיט: מגזין לתוך הלילה pic.twitter.com/DOcQX0u7Q6
— Alon Weis אלון ויס (@WeisAlon) March 6, 2021
“The accused and his supporters will stop at nothing to harm the protest,” the organization, one of several leading the regular rallies, said in a statement. “Cyber activity, physical violence and incitement from within Likud’s campaign cars have all become routine.”
Demonstrators have been holding regular protests for months against Netanyahu, demanding he resign over his trial on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust.
״אין מה לעשות, שמאלנים בוגדים״ הקמפיין הגיע גם להרצליה. כאן עם שלט ביתי לא כמו בנס ציונה וירושלים. מול תומכי נתניהו עשרות רבות של מפגינים מארגוני המחאה כנגדו שהגיעו למקום לאחר ששבוע שעבר הותקף כאן פעיל בגז מדמיע בפניו. הפעם המשטרה במקום pic.twitter.com/lfk6baRiHm
— Bar Peleg (@bar_peleg) March 6, 2021
They have also criticized his government’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
Netanyahu denies wrongdoing and claims the indictments are part of an effort by political rivals, the media, police, and prosecutors to remove him from office.
Israel is preparing to hold new elections on March 23.
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