Thousands of Israelis demonstrated outside the official residence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Saturday night, resuming their calls for the embattled leader to step down despite his historic agreement to establish diplomatic ties with the United Arab Emirates.
The last protesters were dispersed at around 1 a.m. and 11 people were arrested for disturbing the public order and attacking a police officer.
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Israelis have been gathering outside Netanyahu's residence several times a week throughout the summer, protesting his handling of the coronavirus crisis and saying he should not remain in office while on trial for corruption charges.
While Netanyahu has tried to play down the protests, the gatherings don't appear to be waning. Even Netanyahu's blockbuster announcement Thursday announcing plans to establish ties with the UAE, making it just the third Arab country currently to have formal diplomatic relations with Israel, appeared to have no effect on the protesters' momentum.
Video: Yoni Rinker
The thousands of people in the capital late Saturday, blaring horns, hoisting Israeli flags and chanting slogans against Netanyahu. A smaller protest took place near Netanyahu's private beach home in the upscale coastal town of Caesaria, while other gatherings took place on bridges and intersections across the country.
In the central town of Hadera, police said they arrested a 20-year-old man who threw firecrackers at demonstrators.
Many of the demonstrators, including many young unemployed Israelis, accuse Netanyahu of mishandling the coronavirus crisis and the economic damage it has caused.
The demonstrations, taking place several times a week at locations around the country, are organized by a loose-knit network of activist groups. Many carry black flags, the name of one of the grassroots movements.
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