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Boulevard's "tent city"
Photo: Omri Bigetz

The cost of social revolution

As social protest in Israel nears one-month mark, Tel Aviv finds supporting change means facing hefty bill

The social protest sweeping through Israel has been described by many as something "long-time coming," but as Rothschild Boulevard's "tent city" – considered to be "protest headquarters" – gears to mark its first month, Tel Aviv's captains are beginning to feel its financial toll.

 

Ynet learned Tuesday that Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai has translated his support of the protest into special municipal budgets, as each "tents day" costs the City NIS 40,000 (roughly $11,300), mainly in maintenance fees.

 

 

Rothschild Boulevard's "tent city's" operational costs have amounted to NIS 1.2 million ($340,000) so far; and each of the three mass rallies held in Tel Aviv cost NIS 150,000 ($42,500), in security and maintenance expenses.


Protest march in Tel Aviv (Photo: Ben Kelmer) 

 

The Student Union said that the rallies were financed using donations from individuals and various production companies.

 

Tel Aviv, meanwhile, is gearing for the proverbial day after: City assessments peg Rothschild Boulevard's rehabilitation alone at NIS 1.5 million ($430,000). The cost of rehabilitating other city venues, repairing the damage caused to street lights and park features, as well as future graffiti cleanup, has been estimated at hundreds of thousands of shekels.

 

"It's true that the cost is somewhat hefty, but the City of Tel Aviv should – and is happy to – foot the bill," Deputy Mayor Assaf Zamir told Ynet.

 

"The majority of city residents support the protest and its values and we encourage the public to exercise their right to protest. Overall, the costs are trivial," he said.

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 08.10.11, 00:41
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