Thousands demand resignation of Israeli PM

Thousands of Israelis gared outside Benjamin Netanyahu's official residence late Saturday to demand long-time prime minister's resignation on trial for corruption and criticised for mishandling coronavirus pandemic.

country faces a nationwide virus lockdown ahead of Jewish New Year that starts next week, a time of widespread travel and large family garings.

Israel had earned praise last spring for its early handling of virus crisis, moving quickly to seal country's borders and appearing to bring an outbreak under control.

But Netanyahu has come under criticism for reopening ecomy too quickly in May. Since n, new cases have spiked to record levels, government has been blamed for mismanaging resurgence and unemployment has soared to double-digit levels.

Weekly protests against Netanyahu over his corruption trial have expanded to include demonstrations against his handling of health crisis and resulting ecomic pain.

Protesters carried makeshift submarines a reference to a graft case related to a possible conflict of interest involving a $2 billion purchase of German submarines.

Last week Netanyahu anunced overnight curfews on some 40 cities and towns hit hard by coronavirus, but backed away from reported recommendations for full lockdowns after an uproar by politically powerful religious politicians.

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