Some 15,000 protest against Netanyahu in Jerusalem; may be largest rally so far

Thousands of protesters gather in Paris Square, near the Prime Minister’s official residence in Jerusalem, to demand the resignation of Netanyahu in the latest in a series of ongoing protests against the premier.

Tonight’s protest appears to be largest of the recent demonstrations against Netanyahu so far — the Kan public broadcaster and Ynet news outlet put the number of attendees at around 15,000. Last Saturday’s protest drew 10,000, according to police, although organizers said that was a low estimate.

Other protests are being held at Netanyahu’s private home in Caesarea and on bridges and traffic junctions around the country.

Demonstrators flooded the area around the Prime Minister’s Residence, with protesters closely packed up and down the intersection.

Some chant “Bribery, fraud, breach of trust,” a reference to the criminal charges against Netanyahu, while others call for a “revolution.”

There are large numbers of families with children at tonight’s rally, in addition to the typical groups of young people.

For the first time in several weekends, no separate protest of independent workers suffering from the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic is being held in Tel Aviv.

Organizers instead called for a single, unified demonstration to be held near Netanyahu’s Jerusalem residence.

Many demonstrators hold handmade signs decrying what they say is a detached government and ask Netanyahu to “Let my people go.”

One group of protesters builds a papier-mache submarine — a reference to a corruption allegation against the premier (which was not part of the criminal investigations against Netanyahu) — and carry it through the crowd.

At least two bands perform at opposite ends of the demonstration, a rare sight since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, while groups of young people dance to protest songs blasting out of a speaker on Keren HaYasod Street.

Michael Cordoba, 41, holds a sign saying, “Left and right refuse to be enemies.”

Cordoba, who identifies as right-wing, says that Netanyahu survives “by dividing us.”

“There are so many reasons why we should be able to work together,” he says.

Cordoba says he is optimistic about the protests after tonight’s turnout.
“The more people come, the more they inspire to follow them,” he says.

–Aaron Boxerman