An estimated 320,000 Israeli protesters took the streets on Saturday night to protest the high cost of living and lack of affordable housing, more than double the number that had turned out the previous Saturday night. The demonstrators were specifically protesting the enactment of the National Housing Committee Law, which they do not see as a solution to the housing situation.
In the largest show of force, 280,000 Israelis marched from Habimah Square to the government office complex in Tel Aviv's Kaplan Street, while 30,000 demonstrated in Jerusalem, and there were smaller demonstrations in other cities across the country.
Protesters chanted "The people demand social justice" as they marched through the streets of Tel Aviv.
In response to the demonstrations, Minister of Transport Israel Katz said, "The message has been heard. The prime minister will announce the setting up of a team of ministers to negotiate with the leaders of the protesters and by September we will form a new economic plan. We will change our order of priorities. Government cuts are not on the agenda and it will be possible to divert some budgets and lower some of the indirect taxes."
One of the protest leaders Stav Sapir said, "I don't think it is possible to stop this huge protest. The people are out on the streets. I pray that this thing succeeds. For a long time this has not been the protest of just the middle class - this is a protest of the entire people that simply cannot make ends meet."
One protester carrying his son on his shoulders told "Globes," "I'm here for my son. It is not right that a father cannot help his son but that is the situation in our country."
Student Union leader Itzik Shmuli received a massive response when he demanded the release of Gilad Shalit. Singer Shlomo Artzi had the crowd rocking with the chorus of his song that "Yesterday was great and tomorrow will be too." Artzi also led the chants of "The people demand social justice."
Published by Globes, Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on August 7, 2011
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