Tens of thousands take to Israel's streets as social protests move out of Tel Aviv

Social protests took place throughout Israel on Saturday, with demonstrators turning out en masse in Haifa, Be’er Sheva and Afula. This was the first time since the start of the social protests nearly a month ago that Tel Aviv did not hold a march.

Protests also took place in Eilat, Rosh Pina, Nahariya, Dimona, Modi'in, Petah Tikva, Ramat Hasharon, Hod Hasharon, Netanya, Beit She’an as well as other cities throughout Israel.

Tens of thousands of protesters marched in Haifa from Meirhoff Square in Kiryat Eliezer to Hameginim Square at Ben-Gurion Junction, and then to the Bahai Gardens. Roughly 30,000 protesters are estimated to have taken part in the demonstration. Chemi Rodner, Daniel Solomon and Monica Sex performed in solidarity with the protesters.

Yossi Baruch, the representative for the largest tent city in Haifa, addressed the crowd, saying “they tell us we don’t have focus, but we are super focused and know exactly what we want.”

http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/tens-of-thousands-take-to-israel-s-streets-as-social-protests-move-out-of-tel-aviv-1.378465

on Israel. This time I would like to know what they are terming social protests. What is it they are asking for?

The protests initially targeted soaring housing prices, but quickly morphed into a sweeping expression of rage against a wide array of economic issues, including the cost of food, gasoline, education and wages.

The protesters' demands have resonated broadly in a middle class that has found it increasingly difficult to make ends meet. Taxes are high, market competition is low, and salaries haven't kept pace with the price rises – even as Israel's leading economic indicators show the economy is thriving in a way that most developed countries would envy.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/06/israel-protests_n_920274.html

I wish we'd do more of this in the UK (we have done a certain amount, e.g. the March for the Alternative). Much more constructive than the disorganized rioting and looting that just occurred here.