Israeli Police Use Water Cannon to Disperse Anti-PM Crowd

A protester wears a shirt that reads "go", waves a flag while others gather under a bridge on their way to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's official residence in Jerusalem, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)
A protester wears a shirt that reads "go", waves a flag while others gather under a bridge on their way to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's official residence in Jerusalem, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)
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Israeli Police Use Water Cannon to Disperse Anti-PM Crowd

A protester wears a shirt that reads "go", waves a flag while others gather under a bridge on their way to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's official residence in Jerusalem, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)
A protester wears a shirt that reads "go", waves a flag while others gather under a bridge on their way to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's official residence in Jerusalem, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)

Israeli police sprayed a crowd of protesters with a water cannon Saturday night as they tried to disperse demonstrators calling for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's resignation over corruption charges.

Temperatures were about 10 degrees Celsius (50 Fahrenheit) on a raw winter evening when the crowd was sprayed.

The protesters have been gathering every week near Netanyahu's official residence in Jerusalem for over seven months, but the use of water cannons is rare.

In a statement, police said hundreds of protesters took part in the demonstration, The Associated Press reported.

They accused some protesters of unruly behavior, including throwing objects and trying to break through a police barricade. It said one officer was lightly hurt, and several protesters were arrested.

The protesters say Netanyahu cannot serve as prime minister when he is on trial for charges of fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in three separate cases.

They also accuse him of mismanaging the coronavirus crisis, with unemployment in double digits after a series of nationwide lockdowns.

The country is in the midst of its third lockdown, despite one of the world's most successful vaccination campaigns.

Israel is preparing to hold new elections March 23.



Israeli PM Netanyahu Appoints New Ambassador to United States

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chairs a cabinet meeting at the prime minister's office in Jerusalem, on June 4, 2023. (AFP)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chairs a cabinet meeting at the prime minister's office in Jerusalem, on June 4, 2023. (AFP)
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Israeli PM Netanyahu Appoints New Ambassador to United States

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chairs a cabinet meeting at the prime minister's office in Jerusalem, on June 4, 2023. (AFP)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chairs a cabinet meeting at the prime minister's office in Jerusalem, on June 4, 2023. (AFP)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appointed US-born Yechiel Leiter, an official who previously served as chief of staff in the finance ministry, as the next Israeli ambassador to the United States.

"Yechiel Leiter is a highly capable diplomat, an eloquent speaker, and possesses a deep understanding of American culture and politics," Netanyahu said in a statement, Reuters reported.

His appointment was also welcomed by Yisrael Ganz, the head of the Yesha Council, an umbrella organization representing councils of Jewish settlements in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, a territory Palestinians want as part of a future state.

Ganz said Leiter, who lives in the Gush Etzion settlement area, as "a key partner in English-language advocacy for Judea and Samaria", a name used by many Israelis for the West Bank, which Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war.

Leiter's appointment came three days after Donald Trump's election to a second term as US president, celebrated by many Israelis because of his strong support for Israel.

As well as serving in the finance ministry, Leiter also held positions as deputy director general in the Education Ministry and acting chairman of the Israel Ports Company. His son was killed last year in the Gaza war while serving with the Israeli military.