Persistent Protesters Push Punishment for Prime Minister’s Possibly Problematic Procurement Procedures, Pandemic Policies

Thousands of Israelis came out in another show of force on Saturday, as for the 23^rd week in a row, demonstrators gathered on bridges and intersections throughout the country before converging on Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s official residence in Jerusalem, protesting his remaining in office and demanding his resignation. Demonstrators blamed the prime minister for botching the coronavirus pandemic and the ensuing economic crisis, and called on Netanyahu to quit in light of his ongoing trial on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust. After Netanyahu’s rival-turned-coalition-partner, Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz, last week launched an investigative panel into the alleged dirty dealings surrounding the submarine affair, protesters also demanded Netanyahu be interrogated as a suspect in the case. Several indictments have already been filed, including against the prime minister’s closest confidants and advisers, regarding the apparent crooked purchase of naval vessels and submarines by Israel from Germany.