Thousands rally against Israel PM despite lockdown

Protesters hit the streets of Jerusalem on Saturday to continue their calls for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to step down over corruption charges against him.Demonstrators crowded a Jerusalem square near Netanyahu's official residence, where they have gathered for months demanding his resignation.

Israeli media reported about 2,000 people were in attendance.Netanyahu is charged with fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in three cases involving billionaire associates and media moguls.He denies wrongdoing. But the protesters say Netanyahu cannot properly lead the country while under indictment for corruption.

His trial is set to begin evidentiary hearings in the coming weeks.Israel is set to hold its fourth national elections in two years in March, in what will likely be another referendum against Netanyahu as he faces a challenge from defectors within his Likud party.The protesters also say Netanyahu and his government have bungled the coronavirus response.The country has seen its economy hit hard by virus restrictions throughout the year and is again under a nationwide if partial lockdown amid surging infection rates.

Netanyahu and his allies have used Israel's vaccination drive, in which more than a tenth of its population has been immunized, to try to belittle the protesters and their cause, saying the prime minister is working to end the outbreak while they hold demonstrations.

(Image Credit: AP)