Social Justice Protestors Taking To Israeli Streets Again
Israel’s social protests are due to return to the streets tomorrow with a march, the first in just under two months. “On October 29, we young people need to take to the streets and demand a new national budget, and the social justice we deserve,” protestor May Turgeman said at a press conference in which details of the renewal of the struggle were released.
The protests, which began on July 14, clearly had a large impact on the national agenda, forcing the government to grapple with the cost of living and convene the Trajtenberg Committee. This panel has recommended reductions in tariffs on food, extra benefits for working mothers, a home-building plan and expanded childcare, and has had its recommendations endorsed by the cabinet.
The protestors say that Trajtenberg is not offering enough — but the question is, are they about to embolden themselves or shoot themselves in the foot? They left on a high on September 3 with their so-called March of the Million, which attracted 400,000 people, and while a large turnout tomorrow will show that their cause is still alive, a small attendance will send politicians a message that they can chill out on their social efforts because the nation’s hour of activism has passed.
The Israel that the protestors are trying to mobilize tomorrow is a very different one than two months ago. It is less discontented — currently in euphoria over Gilad Shalit’s return. This is not only an emotional high, but a reason for people to be pleased with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a target of the protestors’ anger. Bet you never thought you’d see the day: Israel’s problem, over-contentment!
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.
Now more than ever, American Jews need independent news they can trust, with reporting driven by truth, not ideology. We serve you, not any ideological agenda.
At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and the protests on college campuses.
Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.
Make a gift of any size and become a Forward member today. You’ll support our mission to tell the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO
Join our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
