Thousands of Israeli protesters observed coronavirus social distancing during a mass protest as they demanded Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu be removed from power.

Huge crowds demonstrated in Tel Aviv on Sunday

Thousands of Israeli protesters observed coronavirus social distancing during a mass protest as they demanded Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu be removed from power.

Huge crowds demonstrated in Tel Aviv on Sunday to warn against what they said was a threat to democracy from ongoing coalition talks between Netanyahu and his former rival Benny Gantz.

Wearing face masks and keeping two yards apart, some 2,000 activists gathered in Rabin Square following a call launched on Facebook by the 'Black Flag' movement which condemns Netanyahu's continuing rule.

Israel's parliament was tasked with forming a government on Thursday after speaker Gantz and Netanyahu missed a deadline to seal an alliance, but negotiations between the sides were ongoing.

Israel's deeply divided 120-member parliament has no clear path towards a stable governing coalition, so the move risks prolonging the country's worst-ever political crisis.

Thousands of Israelis demonstrated in Tel Aviv on Sunday to warn against what they said was a threat to democracy from ongoing coalition talks between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former rival Benny Gantz 

Some 2,000 protesters, according to media estimates, gathered in Rabin Square in Tel Aviv after following a call launched on Facebook by the 'Black Flag' movement which condemns Netanyahu's continuing rule 

Israel's parliament was tasked with forming a government on Thursday after speaker Gantz and Netanyahu missed a deadline to seal an alliance, but negotiations between the sides were ongoing 

Israel has reported more than 13,000 coronavirus cases and 172 deaths. 

A partial lockdown has confined most Israelis to their homes, forced businesses to close and sent unemployment to about 26 per cent. 

Gantz and Netanyahu could still agree on an emergency unity government to help Israel confront the COVID-19 pandemic, prospect the protesters spoke out against.  

Wearing face masks, waving black flags and keeping two yards apart, the protesters observed social distancing rules in force to fight the coronavirus.

Gantz (right) and Netanyahu could still agree on an emergency unity government to help Israel confront the COVID-19 pandemic. Pictured: The pair in September with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin

A partial lockdown has confined most Israelis to their homes, forced businesses to close and sent unemployment to about 26 per cent 

Wearing face masks, waving black flags and keeping two yards apart, the protesters observed social distancing rules in force to fight the coronavirus  Pictured: One protester holds a poster reading, 'crime minister'

Israel has reported more than 13,000 coronavirus cases and 172 deaths and protesters ensured they kept a safe distance on Sunday

'Let democracy win', said one placard, while some protesters had written 'Minister of Crime' on their masks, an apparent reference to Netanyahu's upcoming trial for corruption 

The protesters want Netanyahu to be removed from office. Pictured: Protesters keep their distance from each other

'Let democracy win', said one placard, while some protesters had written 'Minister of Crime' on their masks, an apparent reference to Netanyahu's upcoming trial for corruption.

Many waved black flags as a symbol for threats against Israel's democracy.

'You don't fight corruption from within,' said Yair Lapid, the new opposition leader, of his former ally Gantz. 'If you're inside, you're part of it.'

Democracies in 21st Century died because 'good people are silent and weak people surrender', Lapid said.  

'You don't fight corruption from within,' said Yair Lapid, the new opposition leader, of his former ally Gantz. 'If you're inside, you're part of it.' Pictured: Protesters wave Israel flags and turn their phone lights on as they safely stand apart

The protesters gathered at Rabin Square in Tel Aviv to air their grievances with Israeli prime minister Bejamin Netanyahu

Demonstrations are allowed under Israel's coronavirus restrictions, as long as participants maintain distance from each other and wear face masks

Under the banner of 'Save the Democracy,' protesters called on Gantz's Blue and White party not to join in a coalition led by a premier charged with corruption

Netanyahu, who denies any wrongdoing, is also under criminal indictment in three corruption cases. 

Demonstrations are allowed under Israel's coronavirus restrictions, as long as participants maintain distance from each other and wear face masks.

Under the banner of 'Save the Democracy,' protesters called on Gantz's Blue and White party not to join in a coalition led by a premier charged with corruption.

Gantz has campaigned for clean government, but said that the coronavirus crisis has forced him to go back on his election pledge. 

 The protesters were careful not to break social distancing rules as they protested against Mr Netanyahu