'Authorities are trying to silence the public'
Social activist Daphni Leef arrested during rally in Tel Aviv's Rothschild Boulevard; city inspector confiscate tents
Some 100 social activists, including Daphni Leef, have returned to Rothschild Boulevard in Tel Aviv Friday, in an attempt to recreate the events of last summer's social protest.
The activists were met by policemen and city inspectors, which confiscated their tents and equipment.
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Leef and 11 other people were arrested during the rally. The crowd tried to stop the police from detaining her. They were released overnight on restricted terms and were expected to face charges.
Leef's lawyer said that the protest leader was wounded during her arrest.
The inspectors also confiscated equipment brought to the boulevard by Idan Miller of the "IDF suckers" protest group. Miller claimed to have permits for his tent.
"It is inconceivable that in a democratic country, the public is not allowed to protest," Miller said, describing the act "an escalations in the authorities' attempt to silence the public."
Arrested. Dafni Leef (Photo: Yaron Brener)
Leef taken to police vehicle (Photo: Yaron Brenner)
Clashing with inspectors (Photo: Yaron Brener)
In May, social activists tried to reignite the protest with coordinated rallies in Tel Aviv, Haifa, Jerusalem and other cities across Israel. However, the relatively small turnout stemmed the momentum.
Hundreds of thousands of Israelis took to the streets last summer to protest against Israel's skyrocketing cost of living. The protest wave prompted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to set up a committee dedicated to addressing the concerns raised by demonstrators.
Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai recently clarified that tents will not be permitted again in the city, and that the protesters will not be allowed to take over the boulevard again.
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