Thousands of Israelis demand Netanyahu quit over corruption charges and handling of coronavirus

Prime Minister is accused of accepting hundreds of thousands of shekels in luxury gifts from billionaire friends

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  An Israeli police officer puts his knee on a demonstrator to make an arrest during a protest against Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outside his residence in Jerusalem. AP Photo

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  Israeli police evacuate protestors blocking a main road during a demonstration against the Israeli prime minister outside his official residence in Jerusalem. AFP

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  Israeli police scuffle with demonstrators during a protest against Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outside his residence in Jerusalem. AP Photo

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  Police officers patrol the streets on horses during a demonstration in Jerusalem, Israel. Demonstrations continue against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the government's handling of the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. Getty Images

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  Israeli police detain demonstrators during a protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outside his residence in Jerusalem, Israel. EPA

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  People protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu corruption charges, outside the Israeli Knesset (parliament) in Jerusalem, Israel. EPA

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  People protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu corruption charges, outside the Israeli Knesset (parliament) in Jerusalem, Israel. EPA

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  Israelis protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government's response to the financial fallout of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis outside Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem. REUTERS

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  People protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu corruption charges, outside the Israeli Knesset (parliament) in Jerusalem, Israel. EPA

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  Israelis protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government's response to the financial fallout of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis outside Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem. REUTERS

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  Police detain an Israeli man during a protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government's response to the financial fallout of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis in Jerusalem. REUTERS

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  Netanyahu faces an ongoing trail with indictments filed against him by the State Attorney's Office on a charges of fraud, bribery, and breach of trust. EPA

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  Israeli police spray protesters with water cannon during a rally against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem. AFP

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  Protesters stand at the fountain of Paris Square during a protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outside his residence in Jerusalem, Israel. EPA

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  A demonstrator holds a sign in Hebrew that reads "just not Bibi," in front of a line of police officers during a protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem. AP Photo

Thousands of Israelis rallied outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s home in Jerusalem on Tuesday, protesting against his corruption charges and handling of a worsening coronavirus pandemic.

The masked demonstrators marched from Mr Netanyahu’s official residence to Israel’s Parliament, holding signs that read “Crime Minister" and calling on the five-term leader to step down.

In almost daily protests they are demanding better state aid as coronavirus restrictions were reimposed after a surge in new cases.

Public anger has been also been fuelled by accusations of bribery, fraud and breach of trust against Mr Netanyahu, whose trial began in May. He denies all charges.

Testimony from witnesses will be heard up to three times a week starting in January, a judge ruled on Sunday.

Mr Netanyahu, 70, is alleged to have accepted hundreds of thousands of shekels in luxury gifts from billionaire friends and given valuable concessions to Israeli media and telecoms moguls for favourable coverage.

He has announced economic aid packages during the coronavirus pandemic, but many Israelis have become frustrated with the time it has taken to deliver them.

“It’s humiliating and insulting,” said Doran, 54, who said he had been on unpaid leave for three months.

“You pay social security and taxes for 30 years and then have to beg in order to make ends meet. I’m here to protest so that this evil government quits.”

Restaurant owners set up a free buffet for the demonstrators, demanding their businesses stay open or that they receive compensation.

On Saturday, police used water cannon to remove demonstrators around Mr Netanyahu’s residence in Jerusalem.

In Tel Aviv thousands more demanded better state aid for businesses hurt by virus measures.

In May, Israel lifted a partial lockdown that had reduced its number of coronavirus cases.

But a second wave and ensuing restrictions left Mr Netanyahu’s approval ratings under 30 per cent and employment at 21 per cent.

Israel, with a population of nine million, has reported more than 53,500 coronavirus cases and 424 deaths.