Thousands of Israelis demonstrated in Tel Aviv on Saturday, protesting what they claim is Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's failure to address economic woes brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.
Several hundred protesters blocked main roads in the city, committed acts of vandalism, and burned dumpsters as the demonstration escalated in severity into the night. Police forces at the scene tried dispersing the protesters and were attacked with tear gas and bottles. One protester threw a brick at a bank branch, shattering its window. Three officers were lightly wounded. Twelve protesters were arrested on charges of disturbing the public order; 19 others were taken in for questioning.
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With economic stress deepening in recent weeks, many Israelis think the government has not done enough to compensate hundreds of thousands of workers who lost their jobs as a result of restrictions and shutdowns. Unemployment has surged over 20%, and Netanyahu has seen his popularity plummet.
Video: Avi Cohen
The protest was organized by unemployed, self-employed, entrepreneurs, and business owners who gathered in central Tel Aviv's Rabin Square. One man held a photo of Netanyahu with the words "The No. 1 Corrupt Person."
"The Israeli government and its leader are responsible for the failure in implementing aid programs," the organizers stated on a Facebook page devoted to the rally, stressing that they didn't want to affiliate the demonstration with any political factions and expressly asked mainstream politicians to refrain from attendance.
"We are not working already nearly five months and unfortunately most of us have not received any compensation from the Israeli government and this is really a tragedy," said Daniel Tieder, a protester. "In every country all over the world people have received compensation and support from their government. Unfortunately, here in Israel, nothing yet."
Addressing the crowd at the protest, Ahinoam Nehmad, the owner of a domestic tourism company and father of five, said: "The fight began with the lockdown and continued with not receiving fair compensation. We fight for the present, for our livelihood, for our dignity as human beings – and that is not nonsense,'" he said in an apparent dig at Likud Minister without Portfolio Tzachi Hanegbi, who last week dismissed as "nonsense" claims that some Israelis don't have enough money for food amid the economic crisis. Hanegbi later apologized for the comments.
Michal Gaist-Casif, vice president of a sound and lighting company, said, "I have 40 workers with no income, no money. We need the government to pump in money until we're back to normal. We haven't been working since mid-March through April, May, June and July, and August is looking to be a catastrophe."
In Jerusalem, where another demonstration was taking place, police arrested 10 people suspected of disturbing the public order.
In an interview with Channel 13 News Saturday evening, Finance Minister Israel Katz asserted that "the demonstrators don't have a reason to protest," adding that "we haven't lost control over what's happening in the economy."
Concerning complaints that previously promised government aid has been slow to arrive, Katz said the former plan prior to his taking over the ministry "was imprecise, that's why not all the money arrived."
He promised that the latest government stipend for independents and small businesses "will reach the bank on Tuesday and you'll see this in your account on Wednesday."
With less than half of the $29 billion previously pledged in aid paid out, Netanyahu on Thursday announced an economic "safety net" promising quick relief to the self-employed and stipends over the coming year for struggling workers and business owners. The government is expected to approve the plan on Sunday.
But the large turnout at Rabin Square was a sign of widespread discontent with the government's policies.
"People feel helpless, there's no response. They are enraged and want the government to take responsibility," said Roee Cohen, president of the Israel Chamber of Independent Organizations and Businesses.
Despite successfully keeping the outbreak under control in the spring, Israel's new government, which took office in May, has been accused by some of reopening the economy too quickly. That has caused a new spike in infections that is expected to put more people out of work as a result of renewed closures.
Authorities now report record levels of more than 1,000 new cases a day, higher than any peak in the spring. The death toll is nearing 340.
Defense Minister and Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz wrote on Facebook: "The citizens taking to the streets this evening to express their real and justified distress have every right to do so – and we, as their government, have the responsibility to listen and to work toward finding practical solutions."
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