After more than 300,000 demonstrated for social justice and affordable housing and against the high cost of living in Israel last week, mainly in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, this Saturday night 75,000 protesters took the streets in the country's smaller cities. There were an estimated 27,000 demonstrators in Beersheva and a similar number in Haifa.
There were also 8,000 protesters in Afula, 5,500 in Netanya, and 4,500 in Modi'in. In addition there were smaller demonstrations in Dimona, Eilat, Ashkelon, Rosh Pina, Beit Shemesh, Beit Shean, Nazareth, Nahariya, Hod Hasharon, Ramat Hasharon and Rishon LeZion. For the first time there was also a protest by Israelis living in New York with a demonstration in Washington Square.
Protesters leader Dafni Leef attended the demonstration in Afula. She told Channel 2 News, "More than anything the demonstration today is an important statement about the entire country. This demonstration strengthens our position and I am here to stay until we are victorious."
She said that the protest in Afula was the most moving she had been to so far.
National Union of Students chairman Itzik Shmuli also spoke in Afula. He said, "The joint pain that we are protesting encompasses Jews and Arabs, secular and religious, left and right. The cost of living hits us all and makes a sharp distinction between those who live here and those trying to live here. We are ready for a long and protracted struggle but change is already here."
In Beersheva much work was put in throughout yesterday to ensure that the demonstration there would be a success. Among the artists that appeared was Margalit Tzanani, who raised a storm only last week when she attacked the tent protesters in Tel Aviv. She subsequently said that she regretted her words and asked to be part of the Beersheva demonstration.
Published by Globes, Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on August 14, 2011
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