Protests and demonstrations are a human right. However, during the Covid-19 pandemic, large gatherings in the street are becoming more complicated to manage. In the US, the country most affected by Coronavirus, people are defying the government’s orders of lockdown by demonstrating in large groups. As a consequence, both infections and death tolls are on the rise. On the other hand, Israel’s conscious population came up with a ”less tragic” way to protest against their PM Benjamin Netanyahu. Here is what happened in Tel Aviv on Sunday night.
Why Are Israelis Protesting In The Middle Of A Pandemic?
Thousands of Israelis organized an anti-corruption rally in Tel Aviv’s Rabin Square. They argued that their are protesting against their prime minister for two main reasons. First, Netanyahu’s poor management of the Coronavirus crisis. In fact, despite being one of the first world leaders to impose an early quarantine, reports showed that he used ”illegal” spying methods, by tracing cellphones of people who had Covid-19.
However, the big problem that led people to flood the street in Tel Aviv, was much more alarming. Netanyahu called for early elections, despite the population’s anger regarding the corruption charges he was facing. In addition, to make things worse, he announced that he reached a ”coalition deal with his rival, that will involve them rotating the premiership—with Netanyahu serving the first 18 months.” As reported by TIME.
Thousands Of People Took On Social Distancing To The Streets
Although Israel are also on full lockdown, they showed the world how to protest right during a pandemic. Unlike Americans, they organized a street-demonstration with masks, and repeating the 2 meters safety distance. They used flash lights to transmit their peaceful cry for democracy, and denounce proposed unity between the two political rivals.
Moreover, Israelis protest called for unity among them, and called for transparency and anti-surveillance laws especially during the sanitary and economic crisis they are going through.
Israeli Protests Strikes The World
In addition to the conscious protests and respecting the recommended safety measures, Israelis’ protest also strikes the world in another aspect. The demonstrations were attended by ”former members of Blue and White, including Lapid and Moshe Ya’alon—Netanyahu’s former Defense Minister—alongside left-wing activists.” Actually, the Arab-Jewish fight has been going on for ages, but this time, Israelis were calling for coalition between the two groups, to fight the corrupted government, and advocate for democracy and good crisis-management.
Photos: Youtube, Pixabay, Instagram.
