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TEL AVIV, Israel – Hundreds of people are protesting in Tel Aviv against Israel’s housing policies for its Arab citizens.
Protests by Israel’s Arabs occur frequently, but seldom have they taken place in Tel Aviv, in a central square that typically hosts demonstrations for causes championed by Jewish Israelis.
In Tuesday’s demonstration, the protesters are demanding that Israel cease home demolitions and provide housing solutions for its Arab minority. They say Israel has ignored the housing needs of its Arab citizens. Protesters waved Palestinian flags and chanted slogans against the government.
Arabs make up one fifth of Israel’s population of 8 million and have long complained of neglect and discrimination by Israeli authorities.
During last month’s elections, Arab politicians shifted their priorities away from issues relating to Palestinian statehood, focusing instead on socio-economic problems.