In the past two weeks, Israel has erupted in protests and rallies as hundreds of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets demanding social justice. These protestors called for government price controls, equal standards in the outskirts of the country as those in the center, free education from birth, free university tuition, quality healthcare for all citizens, and better salaries and benefits for social workers, police, and public servants. The rallies, which included marches, tents and rock concerts, were held in all major cities, including Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, Beersheba, Nazareth, Kiryat Shmona, Modi'in, and Ashkelon (Berger). .
Earlier this month, smaller protests were carried out in Tel Aviv, drawing anywhere from 15,000 to 70,000 people, who circled the city chanting, "The people want social justice." At another time, demonstrators pitched tents on Rothschild Boulevard, organized through a Facebook invitation (Berger). .
One protestor, Shelly Dvir, a lawyer and mother, joined in the protests in Tel Aviv. At one point she gave a speech over the microphone, saying, "I make more money than average, I can afford less and less. Each year my salary gets smaller and smaller. Something can change, and something must change. We work good jobs, we have attained prestigious degrees and we volunteer to help others, we served in the army and the youth movements, but we can't afford to raise children in this country" (Hartman). .
Amidst applause, she continued, "If raising two children costs over NIS 10,000 per month in Israel, something has to change. We aren't here to whine, we aren't here to complain. This is not the cry of spoiled people, this is not the cry of people who want the country to solve their problems, this is the cry of people who want to be more involved in the way their taxes are spent" (Hartman). .
Because of Israel's low wages and relatively higher prices, the average Israeli is unable to afford even the most basic necessities, such as food.