4 detained during ‘Conference of the Exploited’

Hundreds of social activists gather outside Israel Business Conference venue to protest government-capital connection, carry signs reading, ‘government invests in war instead of education and welfare’
Miri Chason

Hundreds of social activists gathered outside the David Intercontinental Hotel in Tel-Aviv Saturday night to protest the Israel Business Conference, which is being held there.

The protesters waved red flags, held up an effigy of Finance Minister Abraham Hirchson and signs reading, ‘Hirchson collaborates with the wealthy’ and ‘the government invests in war instead of education and welfare.’

Rally in Tel Aviv (Photo: Niv Kalderon)

Four people were detained during the rally for clashing with police officers.

During the ‘Conference of the Exploited’ rally activist Avi Ovadia told the crowd, “We are sick and tired of wealth and politics; this is organized crime. If I were allowed entry to the business conference I would ask the rich people and politicians what happened to all their promises.

“Just last year (Defense Minister Amir) Peretz was here, and where is his agenda today? Now his agenda is his (cabinet) post,” Ovadia said.

Nurit Hajaj of the Mizrahi Democratic Rainbow Coalition said Israel’s wealthy must understand that it is in their interest that low socioeconomic classes be granted basic rights.

“I assure you that there is a greater sense of security in a country where health and housing are rights,” she said.