Israel's middle class hit Tel Aviv's streets on Saturday night at the height of the tent protest. Protestors marched from Habima Square to the Tel Aviv Museum, where they congregated with protestors from around the country. Police estimate that over 20,000 people participated in the march.
The demonstrators shouted, "Bibi, wake up! People are worth more!" Their demand was simple: affordable housing. They chanted, "An entire generation demands housing, adding, "Apartments aren’t a luxury! Capital, power, crooks!"
"People demand social justice! An entire generation demands a future. We want justice, we don’t want charity,"
Tent protest organizer Dafni Leef said, "We must stay on the streets. This is the people's protest. A roof should a basic right. We're the nation's foundation, and we must demand our rights."
Before her speech, Leef screened a video clip, which presented Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the main antagonist. The crowd also booed Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai, who was seen at a café on Rothschild Boulevard before the march.
"Soon we won't have any dreams," said Leef. "There's no time to dream when all you can do is pay your rent or mortgage. We, the people, are not fools. We'll build a tent city within the country."
The demonstrators responded, "Bibi, go home!" Other carried placards saying, "Mubarak, Assad, Netanyahu."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on July 24, 2011
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