ISRAEL: Israeli truck drivers block main traffic veins in protest over increasing fuel prices

Record ID: 395897

  • Title: ISRAEL: Israeli truck drivers block main traffic veins in protest over increasing fuel prices
  • Date: 20th June 2008
  • Summary: (EU) TEL AVIV, ISRAEL (JUNE 19, 2008) (REUTERS) TRUCKS BLOCKING TRAFFIC ON AYALON FREEWAY IN CENTRAL ISRAEL LINE OF CARS AND TRUCKS STOPPED ON FREEWAY MEN ARGUING WITH POLICE AT SIDE OF ROAD CARS ON FREEWAY DRIVING SLOWLY POLICE OFFICER HOLDING HIS FACE AFTER TEAR GAS WAS USED POLICE OFFICER BEING ESCORTED TO AMBULANCE MAN IN HANDCUFFS AT SIDE OF ROAD SHUTTLE BUSES STOPPED
  • Embargoed: 5th July 2008 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Israel
  • Country: Israel
  • Topics: Economic News
  • Reuters ID: LVA4RPEVKS02PJYPOPJO25BSP6ID
  • Story Text: Convoys of Israeli trucks and other commercial vehicles slow down traffic and create bottlenecks in protest over increasing fuel costs.
    Israeli truck drivers joined sporadic world protests on Thursday (June 19) as they blocked main Israeli traffic arteries leading to Tel Aviv, in protest over high fuel costs.
    Dozens of truck drivers, accompanied by taxis and buses from across the country, intentionally slowed down traffic on Ayalon Freeway during rush hour, reducing traffic to a narrow pace, and causing kilometres of backups.
    The drivers demanded that the Israeli Treasury remove taxes over diesel fuel, in light of recent sharp increases of oil prices.
    The drivers said the protest at Ayalon Freeway marked the beginning of a long lasting strike.
    Scuffles erupted when police attempted to disperse the protest. One driver was wounded and several detained. One officer was also injured due to tear gas.
    One of the organisers called the protest a 'wake-up-call' and said that despite heavy traffic jams the strike enjoyed wide public support.
    Israeli Treasury officials said they had no intention of changing current tax policy affected by the global rise in costs of oil and fuel.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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