Disabled protesters demonstrate outside PM's residence

Friend of the Netanyahu family gives cash to a participant in rally demanding increase in disability benefits

Disabled protesters demonstrated outside the Prime Minister’s Residence in Jerusalem on Tuesday as part of their campaign for an increase in their monthly government stipends.

Police closed roads around the residence as a result of the protest, during which demonstrators shook the front gates to the compound and called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or his wife Sara to come speak with them about their demand for higher monthly disability payments.

Businesswoman Nicol Raidman, a friend of the Netanyahus who arrived at the residence for a visit during the protest, handed one of the protesters some NIS 2,000 in cash and told the demonstrators she wished she could do more to help.

הפגנת הנכים | ניקול ראידמן צולמה כשהיא נותנת כסף לאחת המפגינות ומפצירה בה לקבל אותו: "קני לבת שלך משהו בזה" https://t.co/w9RUsWFEWX pic.twitter.com/IQ7nyAsdIf

— החדשות – N12 (@N12News) October 17, 2017

Earlier Tuesday, disabled protesters caused major traffic jams on Route 1 by driving slowly along the highway leading to Jerusalem.

The demonstrations, which have been taking place since earlier this year, have seen disabled protesters block main roads around the country as part of their bid to raise awareness for their demands.

In September, Finance Ministry officials and disabled rights activists agreed on a compromise deal that would see disability benefits raised to up to NIS 4,500 ($1,270) a month.

However, one group, the Panthers, has rejected the agreement and is still fighting to bring benefits up to NIS 5,000 ($1,430) — on par with the minimum wage. Members have since continued to block roads and intersections all over the country.