TEL AVIV, Sunday, January 24, 2021 (WAFA) – Over a thousand Israelis resumed their weekly demonstrations last night against their Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling for the long-serving Israeli leader to resign over corruption charges and mishandling of the coronavirus pandemic.

The main demonstration was held in Paris Square in occupied Jerusalem near Netanyahu’s official residence, while smaller protests were staged at intersections and bridges across the country.

Netanyahu has been facing long-running charges of fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes. His trial was scheduled to resume last week, but was postponed indefinitely amid the tighter restrictions.

The Israeli government's handling of the coronavirus crisis has also fueled the protests. With the country’s third lockdown still in place, Israel’s economy has been hit hard by virus restrictions amid surging infection rates.

The protests have taken place each week since last summer, primarily at Paris Square in occupied Jerusalem near Netanyahu's official residence, and continued despite lower turnout in the cold winter nights.

M.N