Israelis protest over cost of living

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Israelis protest over cost of living

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A quarter of a million Israelis demonstrated in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv against high cost of living.

07 August,2011 10:49 am

Anger over Israels rising cost of living brought a quarter of million people onto the streets in protest. Their ranks have swelled in less than a month from a cluster of students tent-squatters to nationwide mobilisation of the struggling middle class.The demonstrators made their presence felt in cities including Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.Israels conservative coalition government says it wants to lower dairy prices by boosting imports. Its also pledging to increase the number of medical staff in response to a long-running strike by doctors.And its vowed to free up more state-owned land for development, build more low-rent housing, and improve public transport.Israels forecasting almost five per cent growth this year at a time when many Western economies are stagnating.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was this weekend due to name a cabinet-level team to address the demonstrators demands.