Residents of the Hatikva neighborhood tent city milled around the campsite in a state of limbo Sunday, a day after 23 protesters were arrested in clashes with police during a demonstration in south Tel-Aviv against city plans to forcibly evict the encampment. They are predominantly families, many of them single mothers and their children, as well as homeless people.

Stav Shaffir, one of the leaders of the summer’s massive social protest was released from custody with restrictive conditions on Sunday morning after being arrested Saturday evening along with many other activists during the housing protest.  “It’s unclear why I was arrested, just like it’s unclear why others were arrested,” she said after being released. “When we met at the detention cell it was clear that we’re all key activists and that they specifically selected us.”

Shaffir added that the protestors did not act violently. “We did block a road and cause disturbances, but we were protesting an illegal matter: The evacuation of homeless people from the only roof they have over their heads at the moment – a tent. The police, on the other hand, were extremely violent. We were protesting the fact that the public housing funds have disappeared and that this very important service has been shelved.”

Addressing the moment of the arrest, she said: “The footage showing me drumming and being arrested by a policeman a second later says it all. We planned to take part in a protest organized by the periphery forum, sleep in the protest tent and try to prevent its evacuation in the morning,” Shaffir said.

“This evacuation took the tent dwellers by complete surprise. We all gathered and decided to bring activists to sleep there in order to express our solidarity and hold a spontaneous protest. This tent has become an important symbol of our struggle.” Turning to Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai (Labor Party), Shaffir said: “You should be ashamed of yourself. Nothing more should be said. The fact that he and the municipality are presenting the evacuation as caring for the poor citizens who are outside – what kind of concern is putting them on a bench? This hypocrisy makes me sick.

“What we saw last night was a show of solidarity with homeless people by people who have a home, and every such act is another good step toward a better country. Everyone trying to stop this thing is only harming the future of Israeli society.” Shaffir said that inside the vehicle the police began beating the protesters they had arrested. “I have not encountered such violence since serving in the army,” she said.

Hundreds of people, among them Hadash and communist activists, took part in a march that began at Gan Hatikva and proceeded toward Yigal Allon Street.

An activist arrested by police during the demonstration at Hatikva neighborhood, Saturday night (Photo: Activestills)

 While detained in a police van Shaffir posted a message on Facebook: “Many people who have homes protested tonight together with those who don’t. We have been fighting together for six months already for our state’s future. It’s not easy, and it will only become harder and harder, but in the end we’ll see a good place here, a truly good place, for all of us. Amen. “

The protesters chanted slogans against Tel Aviv Labor party Mayor Ron Huldai and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, held signs calling for “housing for all,” and blamed police for using excessive force to disperse the protest.

MK Dov Khenin (Hadash) strongly condemned the violent police’s conduct at the demonstration.  “The tent city in Hatikva neighborhood does not exist by way of protest but due to lack of choice. The role of the municipality is to find solutions for them,” said Khenin.

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               23 Activists arrested during a protest at south Ttel Avivs hatikva neighborhood