Thousands of protesters try to break into PM's residence in Jerusalem

The demonstrators carrying torches had to be pulled away from the gate by the police, resulting in clashes between law enforcement officials and the protestors, who called on Netanyahu to resign; rally meant to coincide with The Storming of the Bastille

Yael Freidson |
Thousands of protesters carrying torches, on Tuesday scuffled with police in front of Prime Minister's Residence in Jerusalem and tried to break into the compound.
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  • The "Black Flags" demonstration began in the evening hours in response to police's removal of tents set up by anti-corruption activists outside the premier's residence. The demonstrators have staged a sit-in outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's official residence in Jerusalem for the past month, calling on him to resign while facing corruption charges.
    5 View gallery
    הפגנה מול בית רה"מ בירושלים
    הפגנה מול בית רה"מ בירושלים
    Protesters with torches in front of PM's residence
    (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky)
    The protestors were waving black flags, which they say symbolize the death of Israel's democracy during Netanyahu's tenure as Israeli leader, and shouting, "Bibi, go home" and "This is our country, no Netanyahu's".
    Many held posters, saying "You are detached. We are fed up," or saying there is "no way" a politician under indictment can be prime minister. Demonstrators, defying orders to maintain social distancing requirements, chanted slogans, blew horns and threw water bottles at the police.
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    הפגנה מול בית רה"מ בירושלים
    הפגנה מול בית רה"מ בירושלים
    Rally in front of PM's residence in Jerusalem
    (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky)
    The activists at some point tried to storm the residence but were dragged away by police officers, resulting in scuffles.
    Amir Haskel, a former Israeli air force general and one of the leaders of the protest, said the protest is meant to coincide with The Storming of the Bastille in Paris in 1789.
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    הפגנה מול בית רה"מ בירושלים
    הפגנה מול בית רה"מ בירושלים
    Rally in front of PM's residence in Jerusalem
    (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky)
    "Today, 231 years ago, the French Revolution broke out with a motto: 'Liberty, Equality, Fraternity'" he wrote on Twitter. "We seek to add to that: morality and justice."
    Netanyahu has seen his popularity drop in recent weeks as he comes under criticism from a series of directions. A loose-knit movement has held a number of demonstrations saying that Netanyahu is unfit to lead at a time when he is on trial. Others have taken to the streets to protest a worsening economic crisis caused by the coronavirus.
    5 View gallery
    הפגנה מול בית רה"מ בירושלים
    הפגנה מול בית רה"מ בירושלים
    Rally in front of PM's residence in Jerusalem
    (Photo: Yael Friedson)
    In addition, a rally marking nine nears since the start social justice protests in the summer of 2011, took place at Charles Clore Park in Tel Aviv. Around 400 people gathered at the part ahead of the protest, organized by Daphni Leef, one of the organizers of the July 2011 demonstrations.
    "We are in the beginning of a huge crisis, and it is clear that there is no leadership to expect solutions from," said Leef. "The trust has been destroyed, despair is on the rise, but the people are waking up," she added.
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    ההפגנה במלאות 9 שנים למחאה החברתית
    ההפגנה במלאות 9 שנים למחאה החברתית
    Rally at at Charles Clore Park in Tel Aviv
    (Photo: Motti Kimchi )
    "It is also time to remember and inspire hope that only together will we create the strength to create solutions and change."
    Associated Press contributed to this report
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