150,000 Israelis Demonstrate for “Social Change”

August 1, 2011

Organizers of the protest are demanding government action in the areas of health, education, and social welfare, in addition to housing. Many of those protesting are being clear that their angst is not aimed solely at the Netanyahu government, but at the entire political echelon.

A strike by Israel’s doctors is also earning support from the populace even though medical services available to the public continue to be sharply curtailed.

Editor’s Note: Unlike the much more violent protests and government responses taking place across the Middle East, the Israeli protests have focused on marches and symbolic actions such as living in tent cities to protest the cost of rent. In addition, unlike the circumstances surrounding the “Arab Spring” events, Israel already is a representative democracy, and so the protests have focused on what the government should do regarding goods and services—not democratic reform.

Posted on August 1, 2011

Source: (By The Media Line, July 31, 2011)

Photo Credit: Isranet