Israel Protests Continue Amid New Restrictions on Demonstrations

PM Benjamin Netanyahu faces pressure to resign his post (Wikimedia Commons).

For the 15th consecutive week, tens of thousands of Israelis took to the streets to protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu despite a new law intended to suppress these protests. The law, implemented September 30, bans protest and assembly outside one kilometer of people’s places of residence for the supposed purpose of reducing COVID-19 cases. The government has touted this move as a second lockdown; however, among critics, it represents a clear threat to free speech. This law has justified a crackdown on protesters throughout Israel. 

Netanyahu has been a domestically and internationally polarizing figure, and these mounting protests have only made more clear  that he has led Israel into unchartered territory. Criticisms of his government range from poor COVID-19 response to trial for bribery and fraud. He currently faces charges of corruption, but per Israeli law, an indictment would not require him to step down. This trial will go on for at least a year, and he could face a prison sentence. 

More than 100,000 people protested across Israel on October 3. Police arrested dozens of protesters in Tel Aviv’s Habima Square. Several videos showed footage of the police’s use of excessive force: many protesters required hospitalization due to assault. 

Images and videos of injured protesters have elicited a response from the political figures opposing Netanyahu. These include Benny Gantz, Alternate Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, who tweeted that the treatment of protesters is “unacceptable.” Yair Lapid, who leads the Official Opposition in the Knesset, squarely placed blame on Netanyahu. Several protesting groups including the Black Flags and Ein Matzav have said that they will continue to speak out despite the government’s efforts to silence them and that they will not stop until Netanyahu leaves his post.