PHOTOS: Israel’s Social Workers Continue Protests While Announcing Their Demands For Improved Security

(PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE)

Striking public sector social workers on Monday, 4 Kislev, continued their strike actions which began on Sunday, their response to the increasing frequency of attacks against social workers around the country. On Monday afternoon, they blocked the road around the entrance to the capital in the area of the Chord’s Bridge as well as the roads near Kaplan Street and the Government Precinct.

An estimated 2000 protesters took part in Monday’s Jerusalem action, as their colleagues were protesting outside the Government Complex in Tel Aviv. They are calling on Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon and Minister of Welfare & Labor Chaim Katz to declare a state of emergency regarding the violence and attacks against them.

Inbal Hermoni, chairman of the Social Workers’ Union: “They are trying to break us, trying to thwart our struggle, trying to get us not to demand what we deserve, but we will not let that happen!

“We are here today, after a difficult night, which has passed through all of Israel and especially the residents of the Gaza vicinity, and we are here, and I am proud of everyone who came despite the difficulties and this is chutzpah. Ministers Chaim Katz, Moshe Kahlon, the Union of Local Authorities, and the Health Ministry should take responsibility for our security, and our conditions of employment. We have to show them that we do not rely on anyone anymore. Nobody!

“The State of Israel in my view, is at a watershed, or it wants to be a state offering social services and then it means that we have to invest in welfare; or the State of Israel decides that it dismantles all social services in Israel because there is no need for it, but it cannot be both. We cannot express the need for social workers while taking down all the social workers in all the social services”.

The social workers are demanding properly trained security personnel at all centers, as well as a security screening for persons visiting centers, reinforced doors, intercom systems, escape routes, panic buttons to an emergency center, and security cameras.

They are also demanding comprehensive and personal security even outside the workplace for employees who have received threats or are at risk.