Thousands of Israelis renewed weekly demonstrations against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling for the long-serving leader to resign over corruption charges against him and his alleged mishandling of the coronavirus crisis.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received his second dose of COVID vaccine on Saturday.&nbsp;While Netanyahu was getting the vaccine, hundreds of protesters gathered in Jerusalem to demand his resignation and criticised the government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Protesters on Saturday held signs reading ''Go,''&nbsp;and ''Bibi, let my people go,''&nbsp;referring to Netanyahu by his nickname.

The protest in a Jerusalem square near Netanyahu's official residence comes as Israel is in the midst of its third national lockdown, which was recently tightened to shutter schools, and as the country presses forward with a world-leading vaccination drive.

Netanyahu's trial was set to resume this week but was postponed indefinitely amid the tighter restrictions.

Netanyahu has been indicted on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust connected to three long-running investigations. He has denied any wrongdoing and says he is the victim of a ''witch hunt''&nbsp;by hostile media, law enforcement and judicial officials.

Protesters argue that Netanyahu cannot properly lead the country while under indictment.

Israel had last month imposed its third national lockdown since the start of the pandemic, but decided not to close schools and to allow a wide range of businesses to remain open.&nbsp;

But the daily caseload has remained high,&nbsp;often around 8,000 in the country of about nine million people,&nbsp;prompting Netanyahu to push for a more comprehensive closure, notably shuttering schools and all non-essential businesses.&nbsp;

The country has given the first of two vaccine doses to nearly 20 per cent of its population, and Netanyahu said Thursday that Israel has secured enough vaccines to inoculate the whole adult population by the end of March.

Netanyahu has placed the vaccination drive at the centre of his campaign for reelection that same month. On March 23, Israel will hold its fourth nationwide vote in less than two years. In the meantime, he has called on Israelis to make ''one last big effort''&nbsp;to halt transmission by adhering to the tightened restrictions.&nbsp;

Israel, with a population of 9 million, has reported 484,083 coronavirus cases and 3,633 deaths. It has imposed two national lockdowns and may soon order curbs on high-contagion areas

Thousands of Israelis renewed weekly demonstrations against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling for the long-serving leader to resign over corruption charges against him and his alleged mishandling of the coronavirus crisis.

Thousands of Israelis renewed weekly demonstrations against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling for the long-serving leader to resign over corruption charges against him and his alleged mishandling of the coronavirus crisis. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received his second dose of COVID vaccine on Saturday. While Netanyahu was getting the vaccine, hundreds of protesters gathered in Jerusalem to demand his resignation and criticised the government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Protesters on Saturday held signs reading ''Go,'' and ''Bibi, let my people go,'' referring to Netanyahu by his nickname. The protest in a Jerusalem square near Netanyahu's official residence comes as Israel is in the midst of its third national lockdown, which was recently tightened to shutter schools, and as the country presses forward with a world-leading vaccination drive. Netanyahu's trial was set to resume this week but was postponed indefinitely amid the tighter restrictions. Netanyahu has been indicted on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust connected to three long-running investigations. He has denied any wrongdoing and says he is the victim of a ''witch hunt'' by hostile media, law enforcement and judicial officials. Protesters argue that Netanyahu cannot properly lead the country while under indictment. Israel had last month imposed its third national lockdown since the start of the pandemic, but decided not to close schools and to allow a wide range of businesses to remain open. But the daily caseload has remained high, often around 8,000 in the country of about nine million people, prompting Netanyahu to push for a more comprehensive closure, notably shuttering schools and all non-essential businesses. The country has given the first of two vaccine doses to nearly 20 per cent of its population, and Netanyahu said Thursday that Israel has secured enough vaccines to inoculate the whole adult population by the end of March. Netanyahu has placed the vaccination drive at the centre of his campaign for reelection that same month. On March 23, Israel will hold its fourth nationwide vote in less than two years. In the meantime, he has called on Israelis to make ''one last big effort'' to halt transmission by adhering to the tightened restrictions. Israel, with a population of 9 million, has reported 484,083 coronavirus cases and 3,633 deaths. It has imposed two national lockdowns and may soon order curbs on high-contagion areas

Protest in Israel against Netanyahu amid third coronavirus lockdown

Israelis are continuing anti-lockdown protests and are opposing the way the&nbsp;Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has handled the pandemic.

Several protests were observed in&nbsp;Tel Aviv on Saturday where the protestors were spotted wearing face masks, but the local police claimed the participants were intentionally flouting all social distancing rules.

The locals are angry that the government has initiated another lockdown without any financial aid for those running their own businesses, which is negatively affecting them. The police has not stated an estimate number of the participants of these protests.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-passes-legislation-to-ban-mass-protests-during-lockdown-331570">Also read:&nbsp;Israel passes legislation to ban mass protests during lockdown</a>

These protests have come after the Parliament imposed a law that restricts the number of participants in a public agthering/protest. While the Parliament and the government claims it is to help contain the spread of the novel coronavirus, locals feels it is yet another way to silence all voices against&nbsp;Netanyahu.

This blowout of protests amplified after the&nbsp;Tourism Minister Asaf Zamir quit the&nbsp;coalition government and alleged the Prime Minister of being more concerned about his ongoing corruption trial, rather than saving his people from the ongoing pandemic.

"I am not willing to put up for another minute with a reality in which the right to demonstrate is restricted," he wrote. "Therefore I must follow my conscience."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-observes-protests-after-second-lockdown-without-economic-aid-is-initiated-330563">Also read:&nbsp;Israel observes protests after second lockdown without economic aid is initiated</a>

While the party leader&nbsp;Benny Gantz found an immediate replacement for Zamir, he also stated that him and his colleagues "joined the government to rein in the coronavirus, not to curb democracy or the rule of law."

While the Jerusalem media claimed that nearly 2,000 people protested outside the PM's official residence, the police has not issued any statement on the number of participants or arrests made. They have just claimed to have arrested "hundreds" of participants for flouting the social distancing rules.

With over 260,000 coronavirus infections confirmed so far and over 1,600 deaths in a population of nine million, Israel currently has the world's highest weekly infection rate per capita.

Israelis are continuing anti-lockdown protests and are opposing the way the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has handled the pandemic. Several protests were observed in Tel Aviv on Saturday where the protestors were spotted wearing face masks, but the local police claimed the participants were intentionally flouting all social distancing rules.

Israelis are continuing anti-lockdown protests and are opposing the way the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has handled the pandemic. Several protests were observed in Tel Aviv on Saturday where the protestors were spotted wearing face masks, but the local police claimed the participants were intentionally flouting all social distancing rules. The locals are angry that the government has initiated another lockdown without any financial aid for those running their own businesses, which is negatively affecting them. The police has not stated an estimate number of the participants of these protests. Also read: Israel passes legislation to ban mass protests during lockdown These protests have come after the Parliament imposed a law that restricts the number of participants in a public agthering/protest. While the Parliament and the government claims it is to help contain the spread of the novel coronavirus, locals feels it is yet another way to silence all voices against Netanyahu. This blowout of protests amplified after the Tourism Minister Asaf Zamir quit the coalition government and alleged the Prime Minister of being more concerned about his ongoing corruption trial, rather than saving his people from the ongoing pandemic. "I am not willing to put up for another minute with a reality in which the right to demonstrate is restricted," he wrote. "Therefore I must follow my conscience." Also read: Israel observes protests after second lockdown without economic aid is initiated While the party leader Benny Gantz found an immediate replacement for Zamir, he also stated that him and his colleagues "joined the government to rein in the coronavirus, not to curb democracy or the rule of law." While the Jerusalem media claimed that nearly 2,000 people protested outside the PM's official residence, the police has not issued any statement on the number of participants or arrests made. They have just claimed to have arrested "hundreds" of participants for flouting the social distancing rules. With over 260,000 coronavirus infections confirmed so far and over 1,600 deaths in a population of nine million, Israel currently has the world's highest weekly infection rate per capita.

Israel continues protesting against Netanyahu's coronavirus restrictions

Should you be protesting in the middle of a pandemic? Israel has passed a new law limiting protests during the lockdown. WION's Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Israel restricts protests during lockdown

Israel has passed a new law limiting protests during the lockdown. The law bans Israelis from holding demonstrations more than one km (0.6 miles) from their homes.

COVID-19 Pandemic: Israel passes new law to restrict protests