Thousands of Israelis gathered in Paris Square in Jerusalem, in front of the official residence, calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu due to corruption and the mismanagement of the coronavirus response, according to the Jerusalem Post.
Thousands & thousands demand Netanyahu resign #Jerusalem pic.twitter.com/N0od72nZpi
— Noga Tarnopolsky נגה טרנופולסקי نوغا ترنوبولسكي (@NTarnopolsky) July 21, 2020
Two separate protests actually converged along Balfour Street: one anti-corruption protest and another from restaurant owners seeking economic relief for losses incurred due to the coronavirus shutdowns in the city.
The restaurateurs prepared meals and snacks for anyone who was hungry as a way to reestablish community connections and demonstrate the importance of their place in the neighborhood ecosystem.
Netanyahu has been on trial since May for bribery, fraud and breach of trust accusations. He denies the charges.
Netanyahu’s wife, Sara, pleaded guilty last June to charges that she misused government funds to pay for personal meals and entertainment.
While the Jerusalem protests have largely been peaceful, 34 protestors have been arrested and charge with disruption of public order and assaulting police.