Thousands protest against Netanyahu over Covid-19 and alleged corruption

Reports suggest the Israeli leader may form new right-wing party to stem his flagging popularity

Thousands of Israelis protested against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday in Jerusalem. Getty

Thousands of demonstrators thronged the streets near the official residence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in central Jerusalem on Saturday night, in a renewed show of strength as weeks of protests against the Israeli leader showed no signs of slowing.

Throughout the summer, thousands of Israelis have taken to the streets to call on Mr Netanyahu to resign, protesting against his handling of the country's coronavirus crisis and saying he should not remain in office while on trial for corruption charges. Self-employed workers whose businesses have been hurt by the economic crisis also joined Saturday's march.

The protest movement has intensified in recent weeks, with critics accusing Mr Netanyahu of being distracted by a corruption case against him. He denies wrongdoing.

Mr Netanyahu, who was sworn in for a fifth term in May after a closely fought election, has accused the protesters of trampling democracy and the Israeli media of encouraging dissent.

Mr Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party on Saturday called the protests "left-wing riots" and accused Israel's popular Channel 12 news of "doing everything it can to encourage the far-left demonstrations" of the premier's opponents.

"Netanyahu is fighting to get Israel's economy back to normal and to transfer funds and grants to Israeli citizens," Likud said in a statement posted to Mr Netanyahu's Twitter page.

Protests have stretched beyond Mr Netanyahu's official residence in Jerusalem, with many Israelis gathering on bridges and highway junctions across the country.

The rallies come as reports surfaced in the Israeli media that he is considering forming a new right-wing to stem his flagging popularity in the event of a new election.

Mr Netanyahu's Likud Party announced that Sunday's weekly Cabinet meeting had been called off because of disagreements with the chief coalition partner, the rival Blue and White Party. The sides have been feuding over the country's national budget, and if they cannot reach a deal by late this month, Israel would be plunged into an early election.

Likud and Blue and White have repeatedly squabbled since forming a coalition government in May. While Blue and White leader Benny Gantz has defended the protesters, Mr Netanyahu has dismissed them as "leftists" and "anarchists" and inciting violence against him. He also accuses the local media of strengthening the demonstrations by giving them heavy coverage.

Mr Netanyahu's son, Yair, this week caused a public uproar when he described the protesters as "aliens." Many protesters on Saturday dressed up as visitors from outer space to mock the comments.

On Sunday, a Jerusalem court slapped an order on Yair, restraining him from harassing individual protest leaders, after he tweeted their private addresses.

While the demonstrations have largely been peaceful, there have been signs of violence in previous weeks. Some protesters have clashed with police, accusing them of using excessive force, while small gangs of Mr Netanyahu supporters affiliated with a far-right group have assaulted demonstrators. But recent gatherings have taken place without incident.

Israel won praise for its initial response to the Covid-19 outbreak, but the government has come under criticism amid a resurgence in cases after restrictions were lifted starting in late April. Mr Netanyahu has himself acknowledged that the economy was re-opened too quickly.

The country of about nine million people has so far recorded more than 82,000 confirmed cases, including nearly 600 deaths.