Thousands of Israelis protest against government’s austerity measures

Thousands of Israelis participated in rallies in Tel Aviv on Saturday evening to campaign against the government's tough economic measures.       

Organizers said that a key reason for demonstrations was the recent approval of austerity measures and tax hikes, which have plunged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's popularity to record lows.           

"We are here protesting against the government of the rich, the government who wants to add more taxes on the working people and the middle class, and the students, and the poor people," said protester Yoav Sagi.        

Demonstrators carried placards and banners reading "Bibi (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu) is good for the rich" and "Justice for the poor."        

Also gathered on Saturday evening in Tel Aviv were demonstrators who were protesting the failure to pass a universal draft bill in Israel.       

Tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews are exempt from compulsory military service.          
Israel's Supreme Court recently ruled the current exemption system illegal.       

The country's secular majority considers the mass exemptions unjust, while the ultra-Orthodox claim they are serving the state by serving God.        

The issue is one of the most charged in the country, and has caused a serious rift in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition government.  

APTN