- Israeli women called for more to be done to tackle the problem and more state funding to be made available
- Protesters observed a moment of silence to mark the 24 deaths this year
JERUSALEM: Thousands of Israeli women protested against domestic violence in a nationwide strike on Tuesday, calling for more action and state funding to deal with the problem.
The strike came after two girls were killed last week, bringing the number of women and girls murdered in Israel this year to 24, according to Israeli media reports.
Women were staying home from work and holding demonstrations in cities throughout Israel, some blocking roads.
Protesters observed a moment of silence to mark the 24 deaths this year.
鈥淏ibi, wake up, our blood is not cheap,鈥� protesters chanted near the entrance to Jerusalem, referring to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by his nickname. The road had been smeared with red paint, symbolising the blood of victims.
Speaking on Sunday, Netanyahu mentioned a recent visit to a women鈥檚 shelter, following which he decided to head the governmental committee to combat domestic violence.
鈥淲e will convene the committee time after time,鈥� he pledged, 鈥渢o bring a better future and hope for these women.鈥�
Members of the opposition, however, accused the government of failing to fund the existing program to deal with the problem.
鈥淚t鈥檚 all a matter of priorities,鈥� Ksenia Svetlova of the Zionist Union said during a parliamentary hearing.
She said 250 million shekels ($67 million) for the program had not been transferred.
鈥淭he welfare offices are on the brink of collapse,鈥� said Svetlova.
A central rally was planned for Tuesday evening in Tel Aviv.