TA: 'Joint rally' brings thousands to streets

A year after mass social justice protests swept the country, new economic measures and failure to pass a universal draft bill have brought some 5,000 people back out on the street in a joint rally against the government's socio-economic policies.

Under the title "joint rally", several protest movements, including social justice activists and the "Suckers Camp", which call for equal distribution of burden in military service, joined forces Saturday calling for lower costs of living and a universal draft bill.

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Meanwhile, some 1,000 activists staged an alternate protest rally, after they refused to join forces with the "Suckers Camp." The protesters marched from Habima plaza to Tel Aviv's Defense Ministry. 

Some of the activists attempted to disrupt the rally taking place at the museum plaza, forcefully trying to break through the barriers that were separating between the crowds and the stage.

"Hypocrites, go away, you are appointed by the tycoons" shouted members of the alternate rally, who call themselves the "unfriendlies."

'We are slaves of the government.' (Photo: Ido Erez)

"These people do not represent the neighborhoods, the handicapped, the poor or the three lower economic echelons. They are staging a national manipulation in order to win votes on the expense of the weak and poor," said Aharon Benny from Rosh Ha'ayin.

An eyewitness reported that several activists surrounded an undercover police officer, who responded by spraying them with tear gas. Police forces at the scene arrested eight protesters.

Clashing camps? Disorder at the protest rally (Photo: Ido Erez)

"I don't see a need to act for the enlistment of Arabs and haredim, this is not the main problem at the moment, and it won't help people make ends meet," said Uri Ofir, one of the organizers of the alternate rally.

"The joint rally has a political orientation that we are trying to avoid," he added.

Protesters at 'joint rally' in Tel Aviv (Photo: Ido Erez)

'Bibi breached agreement'

One of the "joint rally" organizers, Boaz Nol, said he was disappointed by Netanyahu's policies, and called to create "a different and better Israel.

"We have been out on the streets for a year. We come from all colors, shapes and places. They thought we would give up, remain indifferent; but we are here and we are not going anywhere."

Nol said that the people who came out to the rally "feel betrayed; as if we were paying for a party that we were not invited to."

Chairman of the National Student Union Itzik Shmueli called on Netanyahu "to take a good look at the people who came here tonight. They paid taxes and went on reserve duty this month, like every month.

"Mr. Prime Minister, you have breached the agreement you made with the people. An agreement that says that if we work hard, you will let us live in dignity," he said.

'Even a superhero can't make ends meet' (Photo: Benny Deutch)

Yesh Atid Chairman Yair Lapid said at the beginning of the rally: "The Israeli middle class can no longer endure the Netanyahu government riding on its back and squeezing it more and more.

Organizers expressed hope that the demonstration would draw families – especially those that are expected to be hit hardest by the tax hikes and other economic measures that were recently announced by the State.

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