Israeli protests accuse Netanyahu of imposing a dictatorship

ARON HELLER Associated Press JERUSALEM (AP) — Hundreds of people defied restrictions on large gatherings to protest outside parliament Thursday, while scores of others were blocked by police from reaching the area as they accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government of exploiting the coronavirus crisis to solidify his power and undermine Israel's democratic foundations. In recent days, Netanyahu and his surrogates have shut down the Israel's court system just ahead of his trial on corruption charges, have begun using phone-surveillance technology on the public and adjourned parliament until next week. Netanyahu has defended most of these moves as unpleasant but necessary steps to deal with the coronavirus pandemic. But opponents say he is more interested in staying in powe