Israelis in NYC join social protest

Some 300 Israelis, Americans living in Big Apple rally Saturday in support of fellow protesters in Israel, chanting 'New York, Tel Aviv – the same revolution'

Yitzhak Benhorin|Published: 09.04.11 , 09:15

WASHINGTON – Israel's social protest has manifested into transatlantic upheaval, as some 300 Israelis living in New York rallied Saturday from across the sea in support of their fellow 400,000 protesters here in Israel.

Demonstrators in the Big Apple carried posters reading: "The middle class is collapsing" and "The people demand a welfare state."

Social protest coverage on Ynetnews:

The signs also addressed the unique location of their demonstration, with slogans such as: "New York, Tel Aviv – the same revolution."

Social protest on the streets of New York (Photo: Ohad Kravchick)

"We came here to study, but we refuse to cut our ties (with Israel)," said Dana Savariego, who organized the NY protest together with her husband, Ohad Kravchick. "Our family's and friends' situation is tough and we want to do everything in our power to help."

According to Savariego, the participants in the rally were not only from Israel. "We had a few students from North Carolina join us, and someone came from San Francisco for the demonstration," she added.

The abroad rally was made possible thanks to some help from the Israeli social protest leaders. "We didn't know how to organize a demonstration," said Savariego.

"We contacted them and they helped us. Within a couple of hours they sent us poster designs in Hebrew and in English, and a few weeks ago we opened a Facebook page."