TEL AVIV, August 14 (Itar-Tass) — A wave of protests against social injustice swept across Israel. More than 70,000 people, mostly representatives of the middle class and students, participated in protest actions that took place in 12 cities on Saturday (Eds: any production activities are completely forbidden on Shabbat).
“Our aim is to show that the people are unanimous, that we live in a single country and that it is necessary to do our utmost to wipe out social disproportion,” said action sponsors. According to police, the largest rallies were recorded in Haifa, the country’s north where 30,000 protesters gathered. Residents of Afula, Galilee, Modiin and Eilat are also discontent with their social position.
Around 10,000 demonstrators unfurled a huge placard in the central square of the southern Israeli city of Beersheba: “Negev has awaken!” (Eds: Negev- a desert in the South of Israel). Some protesters held in hands posters with the inscription “Israel is dear to me” and “South angered!”.
On August 6, some 300,000 people came for a protest action in Tel Aviv. There were no reports on clashes between police and protesters despite large-scale actions at that time as well as this time.
Mass protests in the country started about a month ago. Demonstrators demand economic reforms from the cabinet of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, expressing dissatisfaction with the high cost of life, social inequality and joblessness.
Besides, protesters claim it necessary to make more accessible medical service and education. Demonstrators regard Netanyahu and Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz as the main “culprits” of the present situation in the country.
According to the latest public opinion polls, most Israelis – 88 percent – back demonstrators’ demands. At the same time, over 50 percent of population is ready to participate in such mass anti-government actions, the first throughout Israel’s history.