In efforts to awake Members of the Knesset from their “corona lethargy” manifesting itself by a dearth of public political activity following the increasingly stringent measures against social gatherings, pro-democracy protesters demonstrated outside the homes of Blue & White leader MK Benny Gantz, Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein,  Likud MK Gideon Sa’ar and Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan on Friday afternoon, March 20. In the words of one of the protestors, these citizens gathered outside the MKs residences “to remind them that they are not dish rags.” Other protesters said they demonstrated outside Gantz’s home “to remind him that he has a spine and balls.”

The protesters are in an uproar that vital Knesset committees have still not been set up. Edelstein has said they will be on Monday, March 23, and Gantz’s party went to the Supreme Court to ensure that they would be. However, the protesters say they want to make a point about far-right Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s continuing to serve in his leading position despite his indictments (his trial which was to have opened last week has been postponed for two months, allegedly because of the emergency) and making a wealth of key decisions during the current health crisis virtually or literally on his own.

Protesters demonstrate outside the home of Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein in Herzliya Pituach, Friday, March 20, 2020. (Photo: Netanyahu to Ma’asyhau)

“A black flag is flying over the actions of the indicted prime minister,” the protest organizers said. “But he is not the only one who is guilty. Our elected officials’ collaboration with his anti-democratic actions is a crime against Israeli democracy.” Dozens of cars approached Gantz’s home in Rosh HaAyin.. There will be more anti-Netanyahu rallies on porches and doorsteps across the country tonight, Sunday.

On Thursday, March 19, hundreds of vehicles carrying demonstrators protesting the closure of the Knesset made their way to Jerusalem and ran into police efforts to block and break up the convoy. Most of protesters later demonstrated outside the parliament and scuffled with police, leading to nine arrests.

Related: Demonstrators Protest Knesset Closure, Nine Arrested by Police