Police dismantle tents pitched by activists in front of Tel Aviv City Hall

Fire breaks out in the building; two protesters arrested

By Yoel Goldman 31 March 2012, 1:32 am

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Fed up with the high cost of housing in Israel, thousands of Israelis set up tents on Rothschild Boulevard in Tel Aviv and elsewhere around the country, August 10 2011(Liron Almog/Flash90)

Tents pitched by social activists in front of Tel Aviv City Hall were dismantled by police early Saturday and two female protesters were arrested, according to Walla News.

It was reported that a fire had broken out inside City Hall, but it was unclear whether the events were related.

Dozens of activists descended on Rabin Square Friday night and pitched tents, in what was an apparent brief reprisal of last summer’s social protests. At least 10 tents had gone up by midnight in the square, according to Walla News.

The square, situated below the municipal building’s imposing facade, plays a frequent host to political rallies and major cultural events. It was renamed Rabin Square following the assassination of prime minister Yitzhak Rabin on November 4, 1995.

In the summer of 2011, thousands of Israelis pitched tents on Rothschild Boulevard in Tel Aviv and in other places throughout the country to protest the high cost of housing.