Hundreds of Thousands of Israelis Protest High Cost of Living
- Posted on August 6, 2011 at 8:13pm by
Christopher Santarelli
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More than a quarter of a million Israelis poured into the streets of major cities Saturday night in a huge show of strength by the protest movement mounting the biggest challenge yet to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.
The numbers show the movement is gaining momentum after more than three weeks.
Thousands of mostly middle class Israelis marched through the streets in central Tel Aviv waving flags, beating drums and chanting: “Social justice for the people” and “revolution.”
Some held signs reading “People before profits,” ”Rent is not a luxury,” ”Israel is too dear“ and ”Working class heroes.” In Jerusalem, protesters gathered outside Netanyahu’s residence.
Demonstrations began last month with a few tents set up in an expensive part of Tel Aviv to protest real estate prices. The tent encampments quickly sprouted in other city centers and the movement further expanded as protesters later joined in over a wide range of economic issues.
Young parents are protesting high child rearing bills, doctors are striking due to strenuous work conditions, teachers are marching over restrictive work contracts and others are in the streets over low salaries, ever increasing gas prices and food costs.
The popular demonstrations have snowballed into the biggest internal challenge yet for Netanyahu and his government. Polls released last week show his approval ratings have dropped while support for the protesters is high. Netanyahu has announced a series of bureaucratic reforms including freeing up land for construction and offering tax breaks.
But the reforms have only increased anger in the streets with protesters complaining the measures would have no real affect on them.
“The prime minister hasn’t told us anything,” said Stav Shafir, one of the protest leaders. “We are going to keep protesting, we want solutions, we want real willingness by the government to work with the people and answer our demands, until then we will be here.”
Roni Sofer, an aide to Netanyahu, said the prime minister “understands the severity of the problems and believes there are serious solutions, but actions need to be taken responsibly.”
Sofer said Netanyahu is appointing a team of ministers on Sunday “to provide a working plan by September.”
Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said about 250,000 were participating two hours into the protest. Israeli media showed streets packed with seas of people in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. A similar protest last weekend drew an estimated crowd of 150,000 nationwide. Smaller demonstrations were held in the southern city of Ashkelon and other parts of the country.
Ehud Rotem, a 26-year-old student and bartender, was among the protesters in Jerusalem.
“It’s hard to live in this country, we go to the army, work and pay high taxes and still don’t earn enough to finish the month financially,” he said.
Protester Betty Eppel, a grandmother, said: “It‘s true that we don’t have much unemployment but the wages are so low that we work really hard and can’t finish the end of the month.”
Protester Moshe Levy said he and his wife Naama work hard and still can’t make ends meet. He said their joint monthly income is almost $9,000 and they are still in debt at the end of the month.
The country has one of the highest poverty rates and income gaps in the developed world, and prices for homes, food and fuel have risen in recent months.
The average Israeli salary is about $2,500 per month while teachers and social workers typically earn less than $2,000 a month. Rent on a modest three bedroom apartment in central Jerusalem can cost upward of $1,500 per month and more in Tel Aviv.
A standard, 1,000-square-foot (100-square-meter) apartment can easily top $600,000 in modest middle class neighborhoods in metropolitan centers like Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, and $200,000 to $300,000 in second-tier areas.
Critics have pointed out that the young protest leaders appear to be unfocused and unorganized but this past week they joined ranks and spelled out their demands. The list includes affordable housing, reduction of high Value Added Tax rates, free day care for children, smaller classrooms, raising salaries for health care workers and other benefits.
“It’s a real substantial protest, we definitely got the message and we have internalized it,” Transport minister Yisrael Katz told Israeli media. Katz suggested lowering some taxes and reallocating funds to subsidize the middle class.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
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Comments (75)
123456789_0
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 2:11amso………. now no one wants to ‘stand with israel’ anymore? make up your minds.
Report Post »Brasil2520
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 3:08am123 . .
Yup you got it ! From now on stand on your own and pay your own bills !
Report Post »SummerB
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 6:41amStanding with Israel has nothing to do with what is going on economically within Israel. It’s about the State of Israel being allowed to exist, & preventing a religious & cultural group of people from being annihilated.
Report Post »Blazergirl
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 10:47pmTop down, bottom up and insideout. Could the Palestinians have anything to do with this? I believe so.The State of Israel HAS to spend a huge amount on military and security. Most Jews know this. So do the Palestinians. Perhaps they too are trying to calapse the system like the progressives in our own country. One could possibly conclude that the Palestinians are following suit with the rest of the middle east. I pray for Israel’s protection and our country everyday.
Report Post »Anamah
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 1:49amUsefull idiots! We are seing now what the leftists friends of our president were asking people to make all over the world. Francis Fox Piven, Bernardine Dohrn , Bill Ayres, pushing the world toward the chaos. …So chaos will be!!!
Report Post »123456789_0
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 2:25amwill you beckers stop using those names repeatedly? liberals don’t even know who they are, let alone israelis.
Report Post »circleDwagons
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 1:37pm123 libs don’t need to know there names to know there policies and tactics
Report Post »MrObvious
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 2:00pm“liberals don’t know who …”
Report Post »I think that’s the point – any why they are being refereed to as useful idiots.
Anyone protesting on behalf of “Social Justice” is one of two things: a devout socialist, and/or a useful idiot.
SPOOKYDOOD
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 3:50pm@123
Report Post »That post isn’t really for you liberals. That’s why you guys get the label “useful idiots”. You hear “social justice” and think it’s your right to get a free handout, then you jump on board the movement without asking who’s behind it or what their motives are. Crack a book once in a while and read some history, then you might find out why we know names like Bernardine Dohrn, Bill Ayres, Margret Thatcher, Van Jones, etc…
lel2007
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 11:46pmGlobal warming indeed, the world seems to be reaching the boiling point.
Report Post »bullcrapbuster
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 11:21pmProtestor’s “mostly middle class”………Bullcrap.
Report Post »Hephzibah
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 1:15pmThis just proves there are leftist professors all over the world. Most seem like short-sighted, selfish, brainwashed college kids protesting Netanyahu. Fools.
Report Post »independentvoteril
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 10:43pmMaybe they can meet up with the guys in EGYPT.. they were yelling about the same thing.. see how that worked out for them..and for ISRAEL.. since NOW there is utter confusion over WHO is in charge and they are threatening the JEWISH populace in ISRAEL.. What is it with this SOCIAL JUSTICE BS.. there have been RICH and POOR since the beginning of time..
Report Post »123456789_0
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 2:17am?? …………. maybe ……….??
Report Post »TeachESL
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 7:53amUntil you learn about the situation here in Israel, please do not make general comments that have no relevance.
Report Post »9thCommandment
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 10:33pm“Social justice”??? Social Justice leads to one result only….. Despotism. The question is, Is ignorance a sin?
Report Post »123456789_0
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 2:18amif it is, make sure you don’t cast the first stone.
Report Post »semihardrock
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 10:24pmHEY!!! SIT DOWN & SHUT UP! ….Alot of these SAME people who have connections in the United States have DONE EVERYTHING to support the “Left Leaning Democrats” in the US for DECADES with nothing but Liberal Values that have also eroded OUR Fiscal Financial System!
The US Dollar is the “World Currency” so you should embrace this “Shared Sacrifice” of INFLATION that YOU helped to create by SUPPORTING Socialism in the USA! NOW……TAKE A SEAT and GO HOME….Which we ALSO help PAY for you to PROTECT!
Report Post »Netsurfer2
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 10:12pmThat is what you get for living next to a ghetto that demands you pay more every day! Before you know it, the cost of living will drive businesses out of the country just in order to survive! It’s always demand more, raise taxes, prevent more crimes from the ghetto, raise taxes, demand more! Oh you need a bullet proof car??? Raise taxes and demand more??? Oh you need a Missile proof house??? Just keep sucking it out of all the businesses and see what you get???
Report Post »rodamaa
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 9:29pmThe day of reckoning is upon us. It will happy soon. Get your house in order it is going to be a rough ride.
Report Post »carbonyes
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 9:15pmThe pressure is on and mounting.
Report Post »dabbo
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 9:07pmDid Bernanke start a side business over there printing shekels?
Report Post »junior1971
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 8:59pmI am starting to think these people that want social justice are a majority. Perhaps Glenn should reconsider the validity of his attempts to assist them with saving their lives!
Report Post »debateanddiscuss
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 10:10pmThe Orthodox with thier subsidies are a real strain on the social system.
Report Post »123456789_0
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 2:21amas is the entire system designed to imprison the 2 million + palestinians in the WBGS. good place to start? probably, considering international capital refuses to invest in israel b/c of it.
Report Post »morioka
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 12:30pm@JUNIOR1971
Report Post »they are not the majority of Israelis, only the majority of leftists in Tel Aviv.
the rest of Israel hates them and I personally am sick of those communists trying to tear us up from the inside.
but it doesn’t matter, you’ll continue to listen to what the media is spreading and good people in America, our only friend will be misled by the lies of the left controlling the media here in Israel.
Israel is torn between the JEWS and the atheists who want this country to cease being a Jewish state. don’t trust their lies.
btw: they said on TV that there were 300,000 people there but I have an uncle in the police in TLV and he told me that there were only 120,000 officialy.
JustaThought
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 8:56pm“Protester Moshe Levy said he and his wife Naama work hard and still can’t make ends meet. He said their joint monthly income is almost $9,000 and they are still in debt at the end of the month.”
Waaah!
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 9:05pm$9000 a month?! We get about $4000 a month, including military retirement and my adult son’s SSI and make 2 mortgages. I don‘t know what I’d do with $9000. Is the cost of living that high over there?
Report Post »Concord2011
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 6:10amIt must be a mistake, the reporter meant 9000 shekels = $2600.
The problems in Israel are:
1. Military budget
2. Financial debts in respect of past wars
3. Billions Of dollars spend on settlers (5%) in the west bank, roads, public buildings, subsidies and allowances, security expenses to protect them etc.
4. Billions Of dollars spend as subsidies and allowances on Orthodox Jews (8%) who are not serving in the army, not working, not paying taxes and having large families.
5. Same subsidies goes to Arabs (20%) who are not serving in the army, many of them are not working, and if they do, it is as cheap labor so they are not paying any taxes, and they also have large families and subsidies for children.
6. There are sectors in the Israeli employees who are well organized and have powerful workers’ committee, so they are getting high salaries.
7. The government got crazy in privatization almost everything in the spirit of extreme capitalism.
8. The economy is ruled by 10-20 families with monopoles, conglomerate and they set the prices of consumer products with no real competition and almost 50%-100% higher than the U.S or Europe.
And who pays for all that ?
Report Post »The middle class (42%)… those people who are protesting now for social justice.
morioka
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 12:54pm@CONCORD2011
I hope you will get your punishment from God for what you’re doing.
disgusting.
AMERICANS, DON’T TRUST LIARS LIKE THIS A**H***.
Report Post »mom4times
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 8:45pmOMG……this is not good at all…Glenn and crew and to all those who have decided to stand with Israel in Israel……BE CAREFUL
Report Post »chips1
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 10:44pmDid BO get there before Glen? SEIU tactics.
Report Post »Son_of_Liberty
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 8:44pm“Little strokes fell great oaks.” Benjamin Franklin
3%
Report Post »LinkedIn G
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 8:38pmWithout the muslim threat…we’d all have a lot more money for “other” things.
Report Post »MrObvious
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 2:22pmIf we drill more oil, manage our finances correctly, and undercut OPEC, we could end the supply of money to the nations that are raising and supporting the Islamic terrorists.
Step 2: Repeal and reform about 100 years of ludicrous regulations (ie bad laws and the rules to enforce them).
Step 1: Put officials in office willing to implement steps 2 and 3
Step 3: Make true cuts on the budge, not just the rate of growth in the budget.
Step 2a: the Federal Income tax (16th Amendment) is responsible for some of the worst laws we have and needs to be repealed).
Step 2b: the Federal Income tax can be replaced with the Fair tax. (a flat national sales tax)
Step 2c: CRA, and SoX caused the housing and banking crises – they need to be fully repealed.
If we in the US lead the way to conservative capitalistic reforms, the rest of the world will follow; as, they will see how amazingly well they work for us.
We introduced communist China to capitalism and they have be prospering ever sense.
RR was not the first prez to note that reducing taxes would increase revenues.
JFK said it before RR did. That’s right, JFK (a democrat).
Before the 16th Amendment (in the early 20th century) there was never an Federal Income tax over 7%. Federal Income taxes never stayed around long; as, they were unconstitutional.
Actually, without the 16th Amendment all progressive federal taxes are unconstitutional.
A trillion here a trillion there, adds up to real money.
Report Post »UBETHECHANGE
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 8:38pm:23 “If I were a Rothschild” Illuminati?!?
Report Post »Jack2011
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 8:36pmThe whole world is going up in flames and riots.
What gives?
Report Post »555jgc
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 9:14amThe world is on fire when it is ablaze, I guard it.
Report Post »thecrow
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 8:36pmhttp://michaelfury.wordpress.com/2008/08/18/movers-and-shakers/
Report Post »UBETHECHANGE
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 8:34pm“Social justice for the people” and “revolution” The commies(left) have infiltrated Israel and are using these useful idiots. We are in trouble people.
Report Post »TeachESL
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 7:59amRead Concord 2011′s posting. Yes, there are those who would want to disrupt the current system and bring it back to where it was before but the majority of those demonstrating don‘t understand how the CEO’s of government companies – not private but government! – are earning fifty times more than the lowest earner in that company. How can a doctor make do with 4,000 shekels a month???? And the head of a bank takes home hundreds of shekels a month!! Four thousand shekels for a doctor??? And what about the teachers?? People have had enough.
Report Post »Psychosis
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 8:27pmCritics have pointed out that the young protest leaders appear to be unfocused and unorganized but this past week they joined ranks and spelled out their demands. The list includes affordable housing, reduction of high Value Added Tax rates, free day care for children, smaller classrooms, raising salaries for health care workers and other benefits
we demand we pay less in taxes ………………………but we want more stuff
THATS going to work out well
Report Post »lel2007
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 8:40pmThet should tax the rich.
Report Post »SacredHonor1776
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 9:07pmGas in England is between $10 – $16 dollars because of VAT! Obama wants to do that here!
Report Post »skiziks20453
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 4:21amand room service, yea, and a new car…
Report Post »KangarooJack
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 8:22pmThis is a situation that could lead to VERY BAD THINGS happening! I can’t stress this enough. I was going to type “Don’t they realize that their Nation is being targeted for annihalation by the Muslims?” but thought better of it.
Much like those in our own Nation who expect the gov’t to take care of a hangnail…
Almost all the wheels are in motion. Just a few more cogs to turn.
Report Post »circleDwagons
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 8:21pmthe Arab spring has moved to Israel … joy, joy
Report Post »Brasil2520
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 8:20pmHaha, I’m sorry for laughing but those people are always protesting cost.
“Lenny can I get it cheaper”? Oheshh !
Report Post »LinkedIn G
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 8:42pmMulticultural except Jews…right ?
Report Post »Brasil2520
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 9:11pmLINKEDING
I‘m sorry I don’t understand your question, I’m a foreigner, can you elaborate.
I appreciate it.
Report Post »SacredHonor1776
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 10:46pmI believe he is accusing you of being anti-semitic.
Report Post »Brasil2520
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 3:30amSACRED
Thanks I didn’t get it, that term “anti-semitic” reminded of a book by Gen. Anthony Zinni, I think it was called Battle Ready, after Zinni wrote the book he got called anti-semitic, in the book he listed the names of the people behind the scene of the first gulf war, most of the names just happen to be Jewish, that’s when the media started saying that Israel was fighting the gulf war by proxy.
I didn’t hear anymore about Zinni after that, the poor guy is probably hiding from mossad in some cave.
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 8:16pmSo now BeBe’s responsible for the rising cost of everything?? Barry said it was George’s fault. Doesn’t he know everything?
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