Protestors Call for Resignation of Netanyahu

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu is under pressure from demonstrators. (Wikimedia Commons)

Demonstrators again defied Israel’s ban on protests on October 10 to demand the resignation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Instead of gathering en masse at Netanyahu’s residence, protesters voiced their displeasure at more than a thousand separate gatherings. Despite restrictive social distancing measures, early estimates indicate that tens of thousands of Israelis took part in the demonstrations.

Protesters have spoken out against both Netanyahu’s legitimacy and the government’s mismanagement of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite facing charges of deception, breach of confidence, and bribery last November, Netanyahu retained his powerful position. His trial remains ongoing. Recent opinion polls have reflected Netanyahu’s decreasing popularity, with his party’s vote share predicted to fall from 36 to 26 seats in the 120 seat Knesset. Furthermore, Netanyahu’s political standing faces challenges from fellow right-winger Naftali Bennett’s Yamina party, which, as of October 6, forecasts its vote share to increase from 6 seats to 23.

Netanyahu’s response to the pandemic has also angered Israelis. His government initially saw success in mitigating the virus by implementing various preventive measures during the months of March and April, but a second wave began in July, and it has not since abated. 

Netanyahu recently reimposed lockdown measures, further hampering an already struggling economy. Not only has unemployment risen to a 15-year high, but the OECD forecasts that the Israeli economy will shrink by six percent this year. However, the ire of the demonstrators seems more so directed towards the intangible element of government response. In an interview with The Times of Israel, protester Itay Flicker spoke for thousands when she stated, “We want a government that cares about the public.”

Protests have remained a regular occurrence since the onset of the pandemic. While Netanyahu has thus far maintained his post, the tumultuous climate certainly brings an air of uncertainty to his precarious state. Given the opposition’s increasing popularity, Netanyahu has a difficult path ahead if he wishes to maintain political power while facing a series of criminal charges and braving a faltering economy all in the midst of an unprecedented health crisis.