Netanyahu vows to solve housing crisis

As protest over lack of affordable housing intensifies, PM promises to 'keep doing more'

Attila Somfalvi|Published: 07.21.11 , 20:12

"The plight is genuine and I embrace the protesters," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday, in light of the growing public protest over the lack of affordable housing.

The protest, which started in Tel Aviv, has swept many of Israel's large cities, with protest camps – "tent cities" – set up in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Holon, Beersheba, Kfar Saba, Herzliya, Raanana and many others.

Receive Ynetnews updates directly to your desktop

Netanyahu claimed that the issue of affordable housing has been prominent in his agenda since his election, saying "no one is doing more on the subject than me, from construction reforms, to the national housing committees' bill and the Israel Land Administration reform, and providing incentives to couples moving to the periphery."

The prime minister vowed to continue formulating solutions for the housing crisis.

Netanyahu further promised to ensure an increase in available and affordable apartments, saying the decisions are pending: "I saved Israel's economy in the past and now I will turn my attention to the housing crisis, the prices of milk and the other problems plaguing the market."