Home International Israel tightens second-wave lockdown as Netanyahu, critics argue over protest curbs

Israel tightens second-wave lockdown as Netanyahu, critics argue over protest curbs

502
0

TEL AVIV: Israel imposed a tighter nationwide COVID-19 lockdown on Friday (Sep 25) as critics accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of trying to curb protests against his handling of the health and economic crises.

Netanyahu's government decided on Thursday to tighten a three-week lockdown imposed on Sep 18, but parliament had not yet approved the measures, which include new limits on public demonstrations.

Advertisement

Advertisement

The restrictions came into effect at 2pm (1100 GMT) on Friday, just ahead of the Israeli weekend.

They will force Israelis to stay mostly at home, shut down most businesses and restrict group prayer during the approaching Jewish high-holiday season, which includes Yom Kippur.

But while Netanyahu's government is authorised to impose measures it deems urgent, including most restrictions on movement, any restrictions on citizens' rights to protest require parliamentary approval.

With parliament deadlocked over the protest measures, Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party said it had proposed "emergency regulations for a few days to prevent mass demonstrations that would cause the public to disregard the closure and endanger many lives".

Advertisement

Advertisement

Demonstrators have been gathering weekly outside Netanyahu's Jerusalem residence, criticising him over the economy, the pandemic and corruption allegations. He denies all wrongdoing.

The new lockdown rules will in part restrict attendance at street protests to within 1km of citizens' homes, effectively shutting down the demonstrations outside Netanyahu's gate.

READ: 'Last Supper' artwork of feasting Netanyahu irks Israeli leader

However, Defence Minister Benny Gantz wrote on Twitter: "We will not allow emergency regulations to be used to prevent demonstrations."

"The decision on a stringent lockdown was designed to stop the spread of the virus, not to block protests," he said.

Without mentioning the curbs on protests, Netanyahu defended the new measures on Thursday, saying that Israelis had not complied with social distancing requirements.

"Wake up. Enough is enough. We are in a different reality. Something needs to be done and it must be done now. A tight lockdown, especially during the holidays, when the economic cost is much lRead More – Source

[contf] [contfnew]

channel news asia

[contfnewc] [contfnewc]

Previous articleFour stabbed in Paris attack, suspect arrested: Officials
Next articleUK beef exports to US resume after more than 20 years