Israel Protests: 450,000 Hit The Streets In Country's Largest Demonstrations

Demonstrators pack the streets on September 3, 2011, in Tel Aviv, Israel. An estimated 400,000 Israelis protested across the country against rising housing prices and social inequalities in the Jewish state.

Over 450,000 Israelis hit the streets this weekend to protest the rising cost of living in the Mediterranean country. Demonstrations were held in cities across Israel, the biggest of the protests drawing 300,000 people in Tel Aviv. 50,000 protesters came out in Jerusalem. According to the Israeli daily Haaretz, the demonstrations were the biggest in the country's history.

Israelis have been organizing the massive protests for six weeks, aimed at addressing a range of economic issues such as soaring housing prices and the rising costs of gas and food. In Haifa, people also protested discrimination against Arabs. Opinion polls suggest the demonstrations are supported by large segments of Israeli society.