Yair Lapid
Yair LapidIsrael news photo: Flash 90

“Cost of living” protesters are disappointed with Finance Minister Yair Lapid, according to organizer Itzik Elrov. Lapid recently announced a series of tax hikes and cuts to benefits in order to stem the deficit.

“This isn’t a slap to the face, it’s a stab and a twist of the knife,” Elrov said. “Where are all of Yair Lapid’s proposals from before the elections?”

“Instead of 'trimming the fat' and taking on those in power, he has chosen the easy path of demolishing the middle class,” he accused.

He accused Lapid of recycling old government plans. “Instead of achieving his vision, he has become the one carrying out the plans of the ‘treasury boys,’” he said.

Elrov formerly led the “cottage cheese protest,” in which Israelis boycotted dairy products over price increases. Lapid failed to fight the major corporations as he said he would, Elrov said. “Soon he’ll be holding a press conference with Yitzchak Teshuva and his friends. Lapid failed, and is adding insult to injury.”