The Trial and the Threat

Benjamin Netanyahu has become the first sitting prime minister to be put on trial. As Hebrew University of Jerusalem law professor and vice-president of research at the Israel Democracy Institute, Yuval Shany said, “The idea of having a sitting prime minister on trial, this one we haven’t seen before. It’s a very serious situation for our country.”  Netanyahu, who denies any wrongdoing,  faces three charges of fraud and breach of trust, as well as bribery in one of them.

The trial began with Prime Minister Netanyahu sitting alone with a surgical mask, and with his top ministers present for support. He also had crowds outside gathered to show their support. His trial could take up to two years to complete.

As Israel begins to open following the Coronavirus pandemic, the statistics for Israel at this time are:

COVID-19 Cases: 16,757

COVID-19 Recoveries: 14,457

COVID-19 Patients on Respirators: 33

COVID-19 Deaths: 281

Shaarey Zedek Medical Center director, Ofer Merin said, “Most of these patients who died here at Shaarey Zedek had a chance of a year life expectancy, not much more.”

Finally, an estimated 5,000 spectators gathered for a beachfront concert. “The concert, held at Charles Clore Park, was put on with a police permit and in line with coronavirus social distancing and hygiene regulations, yet few concert goers wore masks or maintained social distancing.” It was a first since the coronavirus protocols were put in place in March. The concert was staged to assist musicians who were hit particularly hard during the pandemic.

(Various Sources)