Thousands of protesters descended on Jerusalem to denounce Israel’s ongoing Covid mandates, inspired by a similar action in Canada
A massive chain of vehicles has jammed up traffic in Jerusalem as thousands of Israelis took to the streets to protest the country’s coronavirus restrictions, taking a note from the ‘Freedom Convoy’ demonstration organized in Canada’s capital over ongoing vaccine requirements there.
On Monday, long lines of vehicles could be seen heading towards Jerusalem, apparently from various cities in Israel. This footage circulated on social media. Like their Canadian trucker counterparts, protesters blared on their horns, hoisted banners and chanted slogans against the Covid mandates, some even carrying Canada’s national flag while doing so.
According to the Jerusalem Post, a group of demonstrators later made their way to the city’s parliament building to continue the protest. Authorities have not confirmed the exact number of participants, but media reports suggested that hundreds of demonstrators and thousands of vehicles participated in the demonstration. However, activists put it in the tens to thousands.
Though officials have scaled back some of Israel’s Covid restrictions in recent weeks as daily infection numbers continue to decline – including requirements to show proof of vaccination to enter certain public spaces – the policy remains partially in place, while mask mandates continue for schools, shops and healthcare facilities.
Similar to recent protests across Canada, the mobile demonstration is closely related to those held by long-haul truck driver convoys who gathered in solidarity against cross-border immunization requirements. Despite repeated orders to disperse, police have been unable to clear away the protesters, prompting Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to invoke the country’s Emergencies Act on Monday – a first in Canada’s history. Although the PM stated that he wouldn’t use the military against the demonstrators, Trudeau said that he considered the demonstration to be an emergency. “illegal blockade”That is. “disrupting the lives of too many Canadians,”To end weeks of unproductive action, it was suggested that harsher sanctions would be taken.
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