Tens of thousands of people gathered at Rabin Square in Tel Aviv Saturday evening to support the ongoing teachers' strike, which has entered its fifth week.
During the rally, titled "Israel wants education", teachers waved signs reading "The education system is bleeding, and the government is in a coma". The teachers are demanding higher wages and better working conditions.
Ran Erez, chairman of the Middle and High School Teachers' Association, said "I did not believe the square would be filled with a 100,000 people. We are embarking on a social struggle for a welfare state. Education is the closing of gaps; it is dealing with the violence, alcoholism, drugs, draft-dodging and the rest of the bad things that are prevalent in our country. It is a shame that the government doesn't understand this.
Demonstrators at Rabin Square (Photo: Channel 2)
"The ground is shaking; eventually this volcano will erupt," he said.
Abed el-Fadi, a teacher from the village of Aksal, said "I'm disappointed in the government, but not in Israeli society. I have been teaching for 30 years and I earn NIS 7,200 ($1,830). That is not enough."
Bar Siton, an 11th grader from Jerusalem, said "the students want better education and not a financial struggle over a percentage here and a percentage there. This is a battle for the next 20, 30 and even 40 years. We miss school."
Several popular recording artists, including Ivri Lider, Maya Buskila and Ben Artzi performed for the demonstrators.
The Finance Ministry said in response that the Israeli government has decided to invest billions of shekels to strengthen the teachers' position. The teachers were offered a reform plan that would result in a wage increase and better education for the students.
"We call on the teachers to return to the negotiating table and support the educational reform," the ministry said.
Prior to the demonstration Education Minister Yuli Yamir said she was determined to implement comprehensive reform in the educational system.
"If this move fails, it will be my failure and I will be held accountable," she said.