More than 20,000 people demonstrated in Jerusalem on Saturday night, calling for the ouster of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a final show of force ahead of this week's Knesset election.
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The demonstration was organized by 25 protest groups. The so-called black-flag protest movement held other, smaller protests in numerous locations across the country.
The weekly protests against Netanyahu have taken place for nine months. But they have lost strength in recent months in part due to cold winter weather and after early elections were declared in December. Saturday night's gathering in central Jerusalem was the largest protest in months.
The grassroots protest movement believes Netanyahu cannot serve as prime minister while he is on trial for multiple corruption charges. Many also object to his handling of the coronavirus crisis.
"It's in our hands," read a sign on a giant Israeli flag. "We are saving the country. We are fighting corruption, we are the hope," said another banner.
Opinion polls have forecast a tight race on Tuesday, March 23.
The "Crime Minister" movement said in a statement earlier Saturday evening: "The moment of truth is approaching. We will go out to the bridges today and march en masse to [the Prime Minister's Residence on] Balfour Street to tell the accused that his time is passed. The citizens of Israel say 'yes' to hope and change and no to an alliance with Kahanists. It is in our hands only. On Tuesday we will go out and vote and won't leave anyone at home. It's in our hands."
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