Anti-Netanyahu protesters take to the streets in Jerusalem
There were also smaller demonstrations in Tel Aviv, Caesarea, and Haifa, as well as at dozens of major road junctions and bridges across the country
Thousands of anti-Netanyahu protesters in Israel staged their biggest demonstration yet on Saturday evening filling streets and a central square close to the Prime Minister's residence in Jerusalem.
One police commander at the rally estimated 17,000 people were present at one stage, reports the CNN.
Police have yet to officially put a number on the crowd, but other estimates by Israeli media range from 15,000 to over 20,000.
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There were also smaller demonstrations in Tel Aviv, Caesarea, and Haifa, as well as at dozens of major road junctions and bridges across the country.
While previous rallies have been characterized in part by anger over Netanyahu's handling of the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on small business, the focus of the rally in Jerusalem was firmly on the corruption charges facing the Prime Minister.
Black flags, the symbol of the anti-corruption movement, along with Israeli flags were much in evidence, while placards implored the Netanyahu to resign, or demanded he go to prison. At one point, people repeatedly chanted a list of the offenses for which he is on trial: bribery, fraud and breach of trust. Netanyahu denies all charges against him.
"He is not capable of leading, he's not capable of managing the country anymore because he's so much much involved in what is going on with his trial ... he's not caring about the people, he's not caring about the citizens," said one of the protesters.
Israel has recorded 72,283 coronavirus cases and 527 deaths as of Sunday morning.
