'Anti-democratic law': Israel bans mass protests as Covid lockdown tightens

Government limits rallies to groups of 20, in effect criminalising weekly anti-Netanyahu protests

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Israel has passed a law that bans mass protest during the country's coronavirus lockdown in a move government opponents have claimed exploits the health crisis to suppress demonstrations calling for Benjamin Netanyahu to resign as prime minister.

The contentious legislation was approved at 4.30am local time (1.30am GMT) on Wednesday after an all-night session by the country's parliament, the Knesset. It allows the government to restrict people from travelling more than 1km from their homes to demonstrate and bans outdoor gatherings of more than 20 people.