Israelis protest prohibitive housing costs. (AP) |
In the last month, hundreds of thousands of Israelis have poured into the streets of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem and beyond to protest the cost of living, the cost of housing, the cost of cottage cheese –- and maybe a lot more. They’ve built a tent city and railed against tycoons and inequality. Shouted they want their country back. But back to what?
This hour On Point: After the Arab Spring, we’ve got the Israeli Summer. What do Israelis want?"
Guests
Etgar Keret, well- known Israeli author who has been involved in the recent protests. He’s author of several short story collections, three graphic novels, and a children’s book. He has also written extensively for film and television. His most recent book is “The Girl on the Fridge.”Bernard Avishai, adjunct professor of Business at Hebrew University. He’s author of “The Hebrew Republic: How Secular Democracy and Global Enterprise Will Bring Israel Peace at Last.”
Nadia Matar, founder of the Israeli settlers’ group — “Women in Green” –- which supports Israeli settlement of land captured in the 1967 War, and opposes the creation of a Palestinian state.
And from Dissent:
“What is happening in Israel?” asks Michael Walzer. “As usual, no one expected, no one predicted, the massive uprising of Israel’s young people—joined last Saturday night by large numbers, amazing numbers, of their parents and grandparents. What started as a demand for affordable housing has turned into something much bigger.” Click here: TENT CITIES AND DEMONSTRATIONS
Neri Zilber
Neri Zilber
“It appears that the...Israeli public has succeeded where so many other outside actors have failed,” writes Neri Zilber: “to put real pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. With 150,000 Israelis all across the country taking to the streets this past Saturday to demand, in effect, government intervention to lower the cost of living and an increase in state welfare, Netanyahu is facing the stiffest challenge yet to his premiership.” Click here: THE TENT PROTEST: Israel's Social-Democratic Movement
No comments:
Post a Comment