Israelis Rallies Urges Netanyahu To Resign

JAKARTA - Thousands of Israelis held a demonstration urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to resign from his post in Jerusalem, Saturday, August 22. Netanyahu was demonstrated because of suspected corruption cases and the slow pace of the government in tackling COVID-19.

Reported by Antara, Sunday, August 23, the masses considered that the government's COVID-19 prevention policies did not reap many positive results.

A large crowd gathered in front of Netanyahu's official residence. They waved flags and posters calling for Netanyahu to resign from office.

Several participants in the action clashed with the police. 7 protesters were arrested by police, while one policeman was injured as a result of the clash.

The protest movement has strengthened in recent months in Israel. Opposition circles said Netanyahu's performance was not optimal because of his alleged corruption cases, while positive cases of COVID-19 in Israel continued to rise.

Netanyahu denies all accusations directed against him.

Meanwhile, the number of positive COVID-19 patients in Israel on Friday, August 21, exceeded 100,000. At least 809 people have died from COVID-19 in Israel, a country with a population of nine million.

Meanwhile, the economy in Israel entered into a recession and the unemployment rate soared to over 20 percent.

Netanyahu has condemned the protests directed against him. He accused the protesters of threatening democracy, while the mass media encouraged them to take to the streets.

He believes that Israel's economic condition is still better when compared to many developed countries that have been affected by COVID-19.

Saturday's protests were staged days before the government's deadline for passing the draft state budget expires on August 25. If the draft budget is not passed, elections are likely to be held early.