Over 400,000 protest Israel's high cost of living

Over 400,000 protest Israel's high cost of living

2011-09-04 12:15:34 GMT+7 (ICT)

TEL AVIV (BNO NEWS) -- An estimated 450,000 Israelis on Saturday took to the streets across the country to protest the high cost of living in the largest such demonstration in Israel's history, the Haaretz newspaper reported.

Organizers called for a 'March of the Million' in an effort to revitalize the social housing movement that began in mid-July when activists set up "tent cities" to protest surging real-estate prices and the housing shortage.

According to initial estimates, more than 300,000 people joined the main demonstration in Tel Aviv's Kikar Hamedina square, while in Jerusalem tens of thousands of protesters were reportedly marching toward the prime minister's residence.

"This square is filled with the new Israelis, who would die for this country, but expect you, Mr. prime minister, to let us live in this country," National Student Union Chairman Itzik Shmuli said in Tel Aviv. "Tonight, Israel is awakening into the largest protest in its history."

Thousands of people also gathered in Afula, Eliat, Carmiel, and other places across the country. Hundreds of police officers provided security, but they warned that they will not permit demonstrators to block streets and impede traffic as during previous rallies.

When asked about whether the number of protesters would reach the one million mark, one demonstrator told Haaretz that "the number is not nearly as important as the understanding of the power of the Israeli public."

Thousands of people have been holding demonstrations across the country to protest the high cost of living and demand social justice. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appointed a committee to explore economic policies in order to formulate solutions to the country's current economic troubles.

Last month, the Israeli parliament passed a controversial housing bill aimed at resolving the country's current housing shortage, despite the objection of activists. The bill, which was passed by a vote of 57 to 45, will slash red tape for construction by setting up national committees to approve new housing projects.

The chairman of the National Students Union, Itzik Shmuli, said that all groups in the housing campaign opposed the government's approval of the housing law, which "defied the public and choked the chance for trust and dialogue," he said.

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