Prefer Jewish News on Google
Israeli expats protest against Netanyahu at Cambridge University
Around 50 demonstrators gathered to protest against the embattled Israeli leader as chants of 'crime minister' were heard
Israelis in the UK helped keep the pressure on Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday by protesting at the University of Cambridge against his handling of the coronavirus outbreak.
It is the second week in succession that Israelis in Britain have voiced their disquiet, with demonstrators last week massing outside the Israeli embassy in London, as thousands rage against the government in cities such as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
Once again, the protesters chanted “crime minister” referring to the corruption indictments currently levelled against Netanyahu. He denies any wrongdoing and has refused to resign, even as it makes its way to court.
There were around 50 protesters at the three-hour Sunday demonstration in Cambridge, where many Israelis come either to study, lecture, or work in the city’s burgeoning technology sector.
Yair Perry, one of the organisers, told the University’s Varsity newspaper that the aim of the protest was to “raise our voice and support the demonstrations in Israel calling for the prime minister to resign”.
Israeli PhD student Benji Remez, who attended the rally, said they were “inspired by similar events in London and across the world,” adding that “the Cambridge Israeli community demonstrated in solidarity with the protest movement in Israel”.
Speaking to Jewish News, he said: “We are protesting against the government’s failure to navigate the country through the Covid-19 pandemic, its lack of coherent plans to survive the resulting economic crisis, and the moral and criminal corruption that has spread in it and its premiership.”
Netanyahu’s government has admitted that it lifted lockdown restrictions too soon, leading to a vicious second wave of coronavirus infections, as small businesses and the self-employed said they had been left to deal with the lockdown without support.
The prime minister, who initially won plaudits for being one of the first countries to ban flights from abroad, has since seen his ratings plummet, as he has sought to blame the Israeli public, the media and – in some cases – his fellow ministers.
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
