Thousands of protesters blocked the entrance to Israel’s main seaport in Ashdod on Monday, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the restoration of judicial independence. The demonstration was part of a nationwide campaign by civil society groups and opposition parties to pressure the government to end its interference in the legal system and respect the rule of law.

The protesters, who wore masks and maintained social distancing, held signs that read “Save the courts, save the country” and “Netanyahu, go home”. They chanted slogans against the prime minister, who is facing trial on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust. Netanyahu has repeatedly attacked the judiciary and the attorney general, accusing them of conducting a witch-hunt against him.

The protest was organized by the Movement for Quality Government, a non-partisan watchdog group that advocates for transparency and accountability in public affairs. The group said it chose to target the seaport because it is a symbol of Israel’s economic vitality and sovereignty. “We are here to send a clear message to Netanyahu and his cronies: You cannot undermine our democracy and get away with it. You cannot trample on our rights and freedoms and expect us to be silent. You cannot corrupt our institutions and ignore our demands for justice,” said Eliad Shraga, the chairman of the movement.

The protesters also announced their intention to escalate their actions in the coming days, saying they plan to block the entrance to Ben Gurion Airport, Israel’s main international gateway, on Wednesday. They said they hope to draw attention to the plight of Israelis who are stranded abroad due to the government’s mishandling of the coronavirus pandemic and its travel restrictions. “We are not only fighting for our democracy, but also for our fellow citizens who are suffering from this government’s incompetence and negligence. We are calling on all Israelis who care about this country to join us in this struggle,” said Shraga.