Social protest continues amid escalation in south: Against the backdrop of Rocket and mortar shell barragesin southern Israel, thousands of protestors took part in a "march of silence" in Tel Aviv Saturday evening.
Thousands of protesters marched from Kikar Habima – the headquarters of Tel Aviv's "tent city" – to Charles Clore Park near the coastal city's boardwalk.
The participants marched silently under the banner: "Everyone's pain; everyone's protest."
"It was a silent procession with torches and candles, out of respect for the victims of the heinous terror
attacks in the south," protest movement spokesman Roi Noiman told Ynet.
- "The procession aims to remind the prime minister that even in these trying days, he is responsible for welfare, education and health – just as much as he is responsible for security," Noiman said.
The procession was led by Daphni Leef, Stav Shaffir and Gadi Peretz, the representative of the Beersheeba neighborhoods, along with representatives on behalf of reserve soldiers.
Reuel, one of the reservists attending the rally said, "I was in the army for eight years, and serve over 60 days of reserve duty a year. Yes, I'm one of those weirdoes that want to live here and raise my children here.
"Over 60 years ago Israel finished fighting one of the toughest wars in its history. We lost 1% of our population in battle, and still the Knesset legislated the compulsory education law. Our grandparents knew that aside from protecting this place, they need to also build a country, which cares for individuals and society as a whole."