Lengthy Disabled Tent Camp Protest Ends in Success

November 9, 2008

The five-month long campaign for greater government aid to people with disabilities came to a close last month when the government agreed in writing to meet many of the protesters' demands. Demonstrators living in a tent city opposite the Knesset since June received ongoing guidance from SHATIL advocacy, media and organizational consultants.

"Given the economic situation, our success was amazing," said Simcha Benita, a leader of the protest.

The severely disabled will get additional government allowances, which will help them live independent lives by making it easier for them to hire caretakers and to adapt cars for their special needs. The additional sums are meant to cover a rise in the minimum wage as well as in the cost of food and utilities.

One of the protesters with a "man of straw man" built to emphasize Minister Herzog's weakness and lack of action on behalf of the disabled.

"SHATIL was always there for us – even during non-office hours," said Benita, a polio victim. "We didn't know how to get the media interested, we didn't know how to approach Knesset members – and SHATIL gave us the tools to do so. From deciding on a focus to writing letters and speeches; from mediating disagreements among ourselves to writing slogans and giving us direction and hope when we felt discouraged -- SHATIL was by our side."

SHATIL also helped the protesters to network with other social change organizations and recruit them to the effort as well as to relate the struggle to larger issues such as equitable budget allocations.