Police arrested two women, social activists, during a demonstration outside the home of Finance Minister Yair Lapid in Tel-Aviv, late on Saturday. Police claimed the two “confronted the officers and one of them jumped on one of the policemen”. At least three others were detained for questioning.

 Some 100 activists protested outside Lapid’s home in Ramat Aviv against the cuts in the 2013-2014 state neo-liberal budget. A number of demonstrators set fire to banners while chanting “burn the budget” and shouting slogans against Lapid and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

A demonstration against the economic and social neo-liberal policy, near the Lapid’s home in Tel-Aviv, June 16, 2013 (Photo: Activestills)

Earlier this month, the Knesset approved on first reading the 2013-2014 state budget, which includes a number of austerity measures against working families.  The bill moved to the Knesset’s Finance Committee, where it is expected to face an uphill battle and many changes, ahead of the second and third readings in the plenum. The treasury’s budget proposal also increased income tax by 1.5% across the board. The Knesset already approved raising the value added tax from 17% to 18% at the end of May. Lapid’s home has been the site of several weekend protests over the proposed cuts and tax hikes in the budget.