TEL AVIV - Thousands of protesters in Israel have taken to the streets to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over allegations of corruption and mishandling the coronavirus crisis.

An estimated 10,000 people gathered outside Netanyahu’s official residence in Jerusalem and marched through the city on Saturday.

At least 12 people were arrested for refusing to heed repeated calls by authorities to disperse on their own, police said.

Thousands more demonstrated outside Netanyahu’s private residence in the northern town of Caesarea, and at bridges and highway overpasses across the country.

Israeli police arrest people during a protest against Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu

In Tel Aviv, a march against unemployment, economic hardship and rising numbers of Covid-19 infections drew hundreds more.

There have been weeks of co-ordinated protests against Netanyahu, who is currently on trial on corruption charges, which he denies.

He has also been accused of lifting the coronavirus lockdown too quickly, leading to a rise in infections.(FA)