'Yellow Vest' protests reach Israel amid corruption
Israelis were set to hold French-style protests in main cities, including Tel Aviv and the occupied Jerusalem al-Quds, on Friday against rising living costs.
Inspired by "Yellow Vest" protests in Europe, organizers called on protesters to show up in city centers wearing yellow fluorescent traffic safety vests, first put on by French demonstrators.
The Israeli protests were organized following the news of yet another wave of price hikes. Tel Aviv has suggested 8% rise in the price of electric power, 4.5% in the cost of water services and a 2%-4% increase in the cost of basic foodstuffs sold by major supermarket chains.
“As in France, Israel does not remain uncaring when faced with the news of yet another wave of upping the cost of living, which will make our lives here much harder," the organizers said in a press release.
"We Israelis are sick and tired of paying the cost of corruption and massive profits made by tycoons. We've had enough," it added.
The new protests come in the midst of weekly rallies being held in Israel over political corruption in the occupied territories.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing police investigations into corruption cases involving him and his wife, including the purchase of a private jet to the tune of $100 million.
Last month, police also recommended one of Netanyahu’s closest confidants and three others from his inner circle be charged in a bribery case.
“The time has come to learn from the French. We’re done being nice,” the statement noted.
Several Israeli politicians have expressed their support for the protest movement, including Yair Lapid, the opposition Yesh Atid party chairman and former finance minister.
A photograph of Lapid wearing a yellow vest was released on social media on Wednesday by those who support the protest with no relation to Lapid or his party.
In 2012, several protesters, including a military veteran, died after setting themselves on fire in a desperate act of protest at the high cost of living in Israel.
The Friday’s copycat protests in Israel were organized as thousands of demonstrators wearing yellow vests have been gathering in French cities since November 17.
They initially began protesting controversial fuel tax and the high costs of living and have continued even after President Emmanuel Macron scrapped the plan to increase prices.
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