Since July 2020, Israel is undergoing an unprecedented protest wave. Claims against government corruption in general and particularly against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have sprouted long ago, but were intensified since Netanyahu’s corruption charges in for bribery, fraud and breach of trust. The Corona situation aggravated the problem, as the Israeli government failed to successfully contain and control the pandemic, while causing a serious damage to the Israeli economy. In addition, anti democratic steps were taken by the government, led by Netanyahu, allegedly acting for his own benefit trying to escape trial, while neglecting care for the citizens in these harsh times. Another corruption case, involving submarines deal, was not investigated, although some evidence imply for a possible involvement of Netanyahu. During the summer of 2020, demonstrations near the Prime Minister residence in Balfour Street in Jerusalem have intensified. As the protests against the government and against him in person grew bigger, Netanyahu started to push for restrictions on demonstrations, thus encouraging more people to protest in the streets. Thus, Israelis from various backgrounds and political stands, dot Israel with demonstrations, in a call for the immediate resignation of PM Netanyahu, and a better leadership
This updating blog post contains videos from various demonstrations.
July 23rd, 2020 – Paris Square Jerusalem, near Prime Minister’s Residence
This video was taken during the July 23rd, 2020 demonstration. It was calm event with meditation sessions, a classical music band, and an attempt to give flowers to the cops. Unfortunately it was brutally ended by the police using riot control vehicles equipped with jet pulse water cannons. For the background music I chose Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture (Finale) by the U.S. Army Band. It was one of the pieces played by the band at the demonstration, which can be seen in the video clip.
August 22nd, 2020 – Protest march in Jerusalem
The march started at the Chords Bridge, passed by the government offices and the Knesset Parliament towards the Prime Minister residence area and Paris Square for the main demonstration.
August 22nd, 2020 – Paris Square Jerusalem, near Prime Minister’s Residence
September 5th, 2020 – Jerusalem Police vs. Plastic Submarines
The submarine scandal in Israel was exposed following a police investigation on suspicion of corruption related to the purchase of ships and submarines for the Israeli Navy from the German corporation ThyssenKrupp. New evidence points to alleged involvement of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the case, including authorizing the Germans to sell similar submarines to Egypt, without consulting security echelons. This led to a public demand for a state commission of inquiry. The summer 2020 protests hence include various slogans and installations concerning submarines. For the protest march in Jerusalem on September 5th, 2020, activists brought two models of submarines built from plastic tanks – a black submarine – “Investigation”, and a pink submarine – “Hope”. The Jerusalem police decided to put an end to the submarines issue. The black submarine was halted by police troops somewhere in the Rehavia neighborhood, where a complete mayhem broke out. The pink submarine managed to arrive the main demonstration area, near the Prime Minister Residence at Balfour Street, but was later dragged away by police forces as well.
September 20th, 2020 – Paris Square Jerusalem, near Prime Minister’s Residence
This time, during the new Jewish year 5781 holiday, on September 20th, 2020. Although the demonstration was calm, Jerusalem police was violent against demonstrators, as can be seen towards the end of the clip.
September 26th, 2020 – Paris Square Jerusalem, near Prime Minister’s Residence
Although Israel is under a partial lockdown, people are still allowed to demonstrate without restrictions, as a basic aspect of democracy. Demonstrators wore masks and kept distance, but policemen kept entering the demonstration area without keeping proper distance, taking people to a detention, many times without a proper cause, triggering fury among the demonstrators. This was the last demonstration near the Prime Minister’s residence before restrictions on demonstrations were imposed (demonstrations allowed only in a radius of 1 km from home).
The background music is Franz Schubert’s Ständchen (Serenade) Schwanengesang – D.957, played by Tamar Gibor.
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