Photos: Netanyahu faces backlash from protesters over Covid-19 handling
Updated On Jul 16, 2020 06:12 PM IST
A pandemic going out of hand, mounting unemployment as well as corruption cases against the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have brought thousands of Israelis together in protest. For the past month the area around prime minister’s residence has been packed with people and multitudes of banners with the same message, “We’re fed up with you, Bibi.” According to the worldometer count, Israel has 44,188 confirmed coronavirus cases with the number of new infections surging in recent weeks. On July 15, the Prime Minister announced a 6 billion shekel ($1.75 billion) and established that the package had nothing to do with the protests; but only to boost the economy.
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Updated on Jul 16, 2020 06:12 PM IST
Israelis wear face masks to prevent the spread of coronavirus during a protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outside his residence in Jerusalem, on July 14. Rampantly spreading coronavirus, unemployment over 21% and the corruption allegations have come together in a rare widespread discontent with Prime Minister Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu. (Menahem Kahana / AFP)
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Updated on Jul 16, 2020 06:12 PM IST
Demonstrators, defying orders to maintain social distancing requirements, chant slogans and blow horns in Jerusalem on July 14. Thousands of Israelis held banners saying “We’re fed up with you, Bibi.” The demonstrators called for Netanyahu ‘s resignation as Israel’s number of reported coronavirus cases reached 44,188. (Ariel Schalit / AP)
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Updated on Jul 16, 2020 06:12 PM IST
A demonstrator holds a sign that reads “You are detached. We are fed up.” outside Prime Minister’s residence, on July 14. According to AP, the rowdy demonstration on July 14 was led by anti-corruption activists who refer to Netanyahu as the “crime minister.” (Ariel Schalit / AP)
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A protester wears a face shield as a precautionary measure against coronavirus outbreak, while attending the protest on July 14. Netanyahu initially won high marks both at home and abroad for assertive decisions that kept both virus deaths and infections down. But the reopening of the economy - done not in the gradual, measured way has brought cases shooting up again, reported Bloomberg. (Ariel Schalit / AP)
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A protester slips as Israeli police use water cannons to disperse protestors on July 14. The demonstrators have staged a sit-in outside Netanyahu’s official residence in Jerusalem for the past month, calling on him to resign. They told AP that police used excessive force to dismantle the sit-in while opposition politicians decried the move as a restriction of free expression. (Menahem Kahana / AFP)
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Israel police use water cannons as they clash with protesters outside the Prime Minister’s residence on July 14. As the demonstration was ending, there were small scuffles between police and some protesters. Police told AP that protesters threw stones and eggs and vandalized shops while the police was trying to restore order. (Menahem Kahana / AFP)
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A protester kneels in front of a row of police officials after the protest on July 14. 50 protesters were arrested following the protest. Addressing the protest, Netanyahu said he respected the right to demonstrate but that there was “no place” for violence or ignoring public safety rules on social distancing, reported AP. (Menahem Kahana / AFP)
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