Protests against VAT increase: Bibi good for rich
Hundreds demonstrate in three major cities against 1% VAT increase, chant 'there is no future with Lapid and Bibi.' Protester: Finance minister has to wake up, or people will wake up in next elections
Hundreds of people protested Saturday evening in Haifa, Tel Aviv and Jerusalem against the one-percentage point VAT increase, which was set to go into effect at midnight.
"The finance minister (Yair Lapid) has to wake up, or the people will wake up in the next elections," said Ofer Barzilay, one of the protesters in Jerusalem. "This is the most unfair tax. Those who buy Rolex watches and those who buy bread pay the same amount of tax."
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In Tel Aviv, some 400 people gathered at Habima Square and chanted "There is no future with Lapid and Bibi (Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu)," while waving signs reading "Bibi is good for the rich" and "Yair fled, the poor remained."
"The government proved it has no shame or compassion," said social activist Oren Pesternek. "Instead of taking money from the tycoons and the large corporations, it is taking money from everyone."
'Time to say no more.' Rally in Haifa (Photo: Hagai Aharon)
Ofer Neuman, one of the demonstration's organizers, said "this is a dangerous and stupid tax that has already been passed in the Knesset, but Lapid can still stop it. Prior to the elections he promised not to take these measures – there are better alternatives he can choose from, if he is wise."
Protesters gather in Tel Aviv (Photo: Motti Kimchi)
Another organizer, Tamir Hajaj, criticized the "cynical exploitation of the citizens" and said "Lapid doesn't care about anything. He is abusing the citizens."
Shira Steinitz called the VAT increase a "tax of the lazy. In Europe the tax is differential – low for basic items and electricity, and high for luxury goods such as cigarettes and alcohol. This system is complex, so here they simply want to tax everything while hurting the lower echelons of society and their purchasing power."
In Haifa only about 200 people attended a demonstration held at the Bat Galim neighborhood. "The situation is becoming unbearable," said protester Kobi Doron, who said he and his wife earn a combined NIS 9,000 ($2,440) a month.
"We just want to raise our family with dignity. We are not talking about dental care, extracurricular activity for the kids, saving up or travelling. We barely leave the house," he said. "It's time to say: No more."
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