JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Tens of thousands of Israelis took to the streets on Saturday to protest against the high cost of living and demand Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu undertake swee-ping economic reforms.
Police said over 60,000 people demonstrated in Tel Aviv, Haifa, Jerusalem, Beersheba and six other cities, in what local media have dubbed Israel’s middle class uprising.
“People before profit” read a banner held by protesters who chanted “The people demand social justice”. “This is the Israeli spring” one sign read, referring to the uprisings which have rocked the Arab world.
The protests started two weeks ago when activists pitched tents along a Tel Aviv avenue, demanding lower rent and land prices. Demonstrations have since spread nationwide, and housing reforms announced by Netanyahu on Tuesday have not helped quell the unrest.
