Israelis protest cost of living
August 6th, 2011
07:07 PM ET

Israelis protest cost of living

Some quarter of a million Israelis took to the streets Saturday night in protests against the mounting cost of living for the middle class in one of the largest social outcries in Israeli history.

Marching under the slogan, "the people ask for social justice," students, young families and older Israelis called for the Israeli government to rethink financial reforms that they say have squeezed the middle class.

"Everybody who works ... doesn't have enough money to survive," a demonstrator told CNN. She accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of giving tax money "to the tycoons and to the rich people and nothing comes (back) to us."

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soundoff (49 Responses)
  1. 8%

    and they dont leave a tip!

    August 7, 2011 at 1:47 am | Report abuse |
  2. S. Regent, G.G.

    The silliest little jewelry shop in Podunk can get you a 25 ct. D-Flawless diamond.
    Just walk in with the money and they'll have it delivered quickly to show you.
    Walmart might be able to do that, too.
    Unless you know a lot about looking at diamonds, though, you'd better go to a store bigger than Zale's. Even if you do, take an expert with you.
    Dirty and cleanish diamonds can get the same GIA grade, depending on just one identifying characteristic or a mess of them.

    August 7, 2011 at 2:33 am | Report abuse |
  3. Ariely

    I attended the mass demonstration.
    I am for:
    1: Power to the people:
    The governmental system should be changed:
    Presidential government-direct elected.
    Knests members-direct elected.
    Kneset members will not take part in the government
    2:Econamical incentives to citizens contributing to society.
    *Differentiate social benefits:
    The ones fulfilling their citizen's ship duties should be get priority on housing, education from children garden up university, lower income duties, lower and differentiated VAT ..
    *The government should encourage industry and start ups to move from the Dan area to Galil and Negev.
    -I oppose:
    *Changing the current government
    *Politicians attempt to split the people between left, right, secular, religions, Ashkenazi, Sfaradi .

    August 7, 2011 at 2:47 am | Report abuse |
  4. Cesar

    Have you seen the price of gas lately?

    August 7, 2011 at 6:39 am | Report abuse |
  5. patrick A.

    A Jew can always use more Money and more Lands.

    August 7, 2011 at 8:06 am | Report abuse |
  6. joel weinberg

    We are doing ok. Dont worry about us. The little pouch of gold I wear around my neck will easily keep me in kafeltafish until the economy picks up. I likes me some kafeltafish. MMMMMMmm.

    August 7, 2011 at 9:33 am | Report abuse |
  7. Well......

    For those who haven't noticed, the colapsed ecconomy is WORLD WIDE, did you think it was just in America? Where have you been living for the last 4 years?

    August 7, 2011 at 11:03 am | Report abuse |
  8. Well......

    For those who are paying $77,000 for a jacket, you had better be thinking of the future when that jaceket will only be worth about $7.70.

    August 7, 2011 at 11:14 am | Report abuse |
    • leeintulsa

      That'll be 7.70 more than the rest of us will have lol

      August 7, 2011 at 11:16 am | Report abuse |
  9. saywhat

    The Israelis have been protesting the policies of the current dictatorial regime for some time now. Both for economic reasons & the unjust policies towards Palestinians.
    They are fed up of the staus quo & want a quick two state settlement of the festering conflict.
    Jews in America like orgs J Street, Jewish Voice for Peace, Rabbis of N.America for Peace have been doing the same.

    but the Apartheid Zionist regime in Israel & its poodles in Washington just wouldn't listen.

    August 7, 2011 at 11:45 am | Report abuse |
  10. Phantom VI

    @ saywhat:
    You say more and more good things all the time.

    August 7, 2011 at 12:34 pm | Report abuse |
  11. the prophet

    Middle class working people have been impoverish by their respective Governments world wide especially in the US where the democracy as it is known is bound to collapse at some point in the future, it is an unavoidable calamity. Financing the problem does not solve the solution.

    August 7, 2011 at 2:18 pm | Report abuse |
  12. saywhat

    @ Phantom V1

    Thanks. most Americans don't realize the imperatives of achieving a just & viable resolution of the I /P conflict. And how vital it is to our strategic & economic goals in the Middle East.

    August 7, 2011 at 2:26 pm | Report abuse |
  13. saywhat

    @ the prophet

    Right. The widening gulf between the haves & have nots & middle class slipping into poverty, invariably leads to chaos & anarchy if not checked.

    August 7, 2011 at 2:30 pm | Report abuse |
  14. HelenHull102951

    I'm glad the Israelis are having economic problems. They feel they are better than any other race on the planet. I hope they starve to death.

    August 7, 2011 at 3:05 pm | Report abuse |
    • ReasonNOTIdeology

      Oh Hitler, does Eva know you're online again?

      August 7, 2011 at 10:08 pm | Report abuse |
  15. chessdad

    Somehow I figure this is going to end up costing the US taxpayer.

    August 7, 2011 at 3:56 pm | Report abuse |
    • ReasonNOTIdeology

      since Israel is the only nation that actually pays us back - with interest! let's hope so, that can only be good news.

      August 7, 2011 at 10:09 pm | Report abuse |
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