Disabled and Pensioner Protesters Block Major Tel Aviv Highway

Disabled protesters, pensioners and social activists blocked a major highway in Tel Aviv on Thursday, May 31, as part of a campaign for higher disability stipends and pensions for the elderly. They caused a major artery running through the city to be closed for almost an hour, leading to confrontations between police and protesters.

MK Khenin with protesters in Tel Aviv on Thursday, May 31. The placard to the left reads: “Senior citizens demand: Stipend that allows living honorably!”; to the right” “What will you choose this month? Food for children or medications?”

MK Khenin with protesters in Tel Aviv on Thursday, May 31. The placard to the left reads: “Senior citizens demand: Stipend that allows living honorably!”; to the right” “What will you choose this month? Food for children or medications?” (Photo: Zo Haderech weekly)

Southbound traffic on the Ayalon freeway at the Azrieli intersection in central Tel-Aviv came to a total standstill during rush hour after the road was blocked by around 150 activists, many of them disabled, who were calling for the government stipend for the disabled and elderly to be increased to NIS 5,300 ($1,500) so that it matches the minimum wage.

After a year of negotiations and dozens of demonstrations and protests blocking roads and snarling traffic all over Israel, the Knesset in February raised the monthly stipend to NIS 3,700 ($1,050). However, social activists say that this is not enough.

Among the protesters was Joint List MK Dov Khenin (Hadash). Holding signs with slogans such as, “We want social justice, not charity,” and, “We do not abandon the elderly, children, and the disabled,” the demonstrators were continuing protests, which began in March 2017.