In cold weather, anti-Netanyahu protests continue in Israel

Hundreds of protesters braved a cold night in Jerusalem on Saturday to continue their calls for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to step down for bribery against him.

Protesters gathered in a Jerusalem square near Mr. Netanyahus’ official residence. The weekly protests have been taking place for more than seven months.

Mr. Netanyahu is charged with fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in three cases involving billionaire associates and media moguls, charges he denies.

Protesters insist Mr. Netanyahu cannot properly run the country on corruption charges.

His trial is expected to begin next month.

Israel will hold its fourth national election in two years in March, in what will likely be another referendum on Mr. Netanyahu as he faces a challenge from defectors from his Likud party.

Protesters also say Mr. Netanyahu and his government have missed the response to the coronavirus.

The country has seen its economy hit hard by viral restrictions throughout the year and is again under nationwide lockdown, albeit partial, amid skyrocketing infection rates.

Mr. Netanyahu and his allies have used Israel’s vaccination campaign, in which more than a tenth of its population has been vaccinated, to try to downplay the protesters and their cause. They say the prime minister is working to end the outbreak while they organize protests.