Thousands of Israelis protest against Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of election

Protesters have filed through streets in Jerusalem, shouting chants to replace 71-year-old conservative Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Anti-Netanyahu protesters take part in a rally outside the Israeli Prime Minister's residence, in Jerusalem, Israel, 20 March 2021.

Anti-Netanyahu protesters take part in a rally outside the Israeli Prime Minister's residence, in Jerusalem, Israel, 20 March 2021. Source: AAP

Thousands of Israelis have demonstrated outside the residence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, calling for an end to his leadership just three days before the country's fourth election in two years.

Protesters on Saturday filed through streets closed to traffic by police, waving flags, banging drums, blowing horns and shouting chants to replace the 71-year-old conservative.

The crowd was larger than many previous anti-Netanyahu protests over the past year, with Israeli media reporting it numbered about 20,000.
Thousands of protesters chant slogans during a protest against Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outside his residence in Jerusalem, March. 20, 2021.
Thousands of protesters chant slogans during a protest against Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outside his residence in Jerusalem, March 20, 2021. Source: AAP
Though his right-wing Likud is expected to emerge as the biggest party in the 23 March ballot, opinion polls predict no clear winner with a majority in parliament or able to form a government - similar to the three previous elections.

Pressure has mounted in the election run-up on Mr Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption and accused by critics of mismanaging the coronavirus pandemic.

Mr Netanyahu is hoping the success of his government's rapid COVID-19 vaccination program, which has allowed much of the economy to open after three lockdowns, along with a series of normalisation agreements with Arab countries, will give him the boost needed to secure a majority in parliament.

Mr Netanyahu faces charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust, all of which he denies.


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2 min read
Published 21 March 2021 10:06am
Updated 21 March 2021 10:16am
Source: AAP, SBS


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