Jerusalem: Israeli police have arrested 12 people and used water cannon in Jerusalem before dawn on Sunday to disperse furious demonstrators protesting against the government’s handling of the coronavirus crisis, police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said.
The arrests came as thousands of Israelis held several demonstrations across the country on Saturday against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the main protest taking place in Jerusalem outside his official residence.
The protests have been going on for the past few weeks, sparked by what critics see as the government’s failure in handling the coronavirus crisis after initially seeming to succeed in keeping the virus at bay.
Corruption charges against Netanyahu have further fuelled the demonstrations.
“Bibi, go home,” read one sign held by a protester. Other placards said “We are fed up with the corrupt”, and “Where are the morals? Where are the values?”
They blew horns, beat drums and chanted slogans, including “One million unemployed,” “Bibi resign,” “Crime Minister,” “Shame,” and “Bloated, corrupt cabinet, we are sick of you”.
