Hundreds of demonstrators rallied in the cities of Tel Aviv, Nazareth, Sakhnin, Um el-Fahem and Taybe on Saturday, protesting against Israel’s skyrocketing cost of living and against the neo-liberal policy of the government. The demonstrators in Tel-Aviv blocking one of the city’s main streets, Iben Gvirol.

Police officials said the protest “was illegal” and sent in forces to disperse participants; at least five demonstrators were detained at the site. The demonstrators, who marched along Iben Gvirol Street, chanted “We’re the majority and we’re back to the streets,” and “A year has passed and nothing has changed,” referring to last year’s social protest which swept the country and spread nationwide.

Demonstrators blocking Iben Gvirol Street in Tel-Aviv (Photo: Activestills)

One of the rally’s organizers, Oren Pasternak, told Ynet news website: “Instead of handling the real problems, Netanyahu’s government of cutbacks embarks on spins and continues its divide-and-conquer approach against the haredim, against the Arabs and against the Russians.”

Saturday’s protest marked the second week in a row where hundreds of demonstrators hit the streets to express their displeasure with rising fuel and electricity prices.

Other protests were held by Hadash in the cities of Nazareth, Sakhnin, Um el-Fahem and Taybe on Saturday.

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