Tens of thousands protest housing crisis in Israel

2011-07-25 00:06:41 GMT+7 (ICT)

TEL AVIV, ISRAEL (BNO NEWS) -- Tens of thousands of demonstrators on Saturday night marched in central Tel Aviv against surging real-estate prices and the housing shortage in Israel, Haaretz newspaper reported.

The protest was an extension of the "tent cities" that have been set up throughout Israel to protest the high rent prices. Demonstrators marched from the tent city on Rothschild Boulevard toward the Tel Aviv Museum, where various protest leaders urged the government to find a sustainable solution to the housing crisis.

Protesters chanted slogans such as "proper housing, legitimate prices" and "this generation demands housing", while others demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Several legislators were seen among the demonstrators.

"You, Mr. Netanyahu, caused us – the Facebook generation – to head to the streets and protest," Daphni Leef, who initiated the protest, said in her speech.

Following the demonstration, police tried to forcibly clear hundreds of protesters from blocking an intersection, but were unsuccessful. Protesters retaliated by throwing objects and rubbish at the police. At least 42 protesters were arrested.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Netanyahu on Sunday slammed ministers of his party for not trying to solve the housing crisis that gave rise to the mass nationwide protests. "Give me ideas for a solution," he told the ministers, adding that they must share the weight in handling the crisis.

Netanyahu's remarks came after a heated exchange between Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz and Environmental Protection Minister Gilad Erdan that revolved another looming socio-economic crisis – the rising price of electricity.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-07-25

Maybe things would lighten up in the Middle East if both the Israelis and the Palestinians join this new political party?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4o-TeMHys0

Edited July 24, 201114 yr by Jingthing

Tel Aviv is no different to any other capital in the world, prices just keep growing as less is being built but more demand.