Israeli politicians have been worrying that the Palestinians would join the protests
sweeping the Middle East. So far, this has not happened. But now the Israeli leadership is facing something it probably never expected: an Israeli Spring.
Tens of thousands of Israelis took to the streets last weekend to protest against the high cost of living and demand that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conduct extensive economic reforms. Over 150,000 people are thought to have demonstrated in Tel Aviv, Haifa, Jerusalem, Beersheba and six other cities in left-wing protests against housing policy, but which seem to be morphing into a broader political movement.
The dissent began a few weeks ago when activists pitched tents on a Tel Aviv avenue, demanding lower rent and house prices. Property prices have increased by 65 per cent in the past five years, with rents similarly rising. Like in Egypt, the protests have been led by normal people fed up their lack of options. In Israel’s case, the hero of the day is Daphne Leef, a twenty-five-year-old video editor, who was turfed out of her apartment and pitched a tent in protest.
The extent to which this represents something new in Israeli politics is unclear. Israel has had many protest movements in the past, but they have often been divided along religious, political or even ethnic lines. A protest focused on social issues is rare. And, in a country of 7 million people, 150,000 is a significant number.
The degree to which this represents a threat to Netanyahu’s ruling coalition – and to his foreign policies in particular – is also unclear. The demonstrations are clearly a political headache for the Israeli leader, who is suffering from low approval ratings. The director general of the finance ministry was forced to resign this weekend as a result of the protests. The protests are also reviving a flagging left, but none of the parties in the governing coalition are pulling out, meaning that early elections are not likely at this stage.
However, the frustration that many Israelis feel about the use of funds in the Occupied Territories as opposed to Israel proper may open another flank against the government. It is telling that, after weeks of bluster, Netanyahu has suddenly indicated he is willing to trade Israeli territory on its side of the line for West Bank land where its main settlements are located.
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