Restaurateurs in Israel smash plates to protest coronavirus lockdown
The coordinated protest took place in multiple cities, with owners in Bat Yam, Tel Aviv and Haifa seen smashing plates.
By CODY LEVINEA CLOSED RESTAURANT in Jerusalem. Government plans vary concerning what needs to be done next.(photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)
Restaurateurs were seen protesting the second coronavirus lockdown by smashing plates, with videos posted to social media showing the owners and workers of the restaurants participating in the protests throughout the country.The coordinated protest took place in multiple cities, with owners in Bat Yam, Tel Aviv and Haifa smashing plates.Oleg Bartov, one of the restaurant owners, wrote alongside a video posted to Facebook that “as a sign of solidarity, Bartov Restaurant also joins the protest of Strong Restaurateurs Together and shakes on the stupid decision not to allow takeaway food.”The Association of Strong Restaurateurs Together also said on Facebook the demonstration was in light of the prospective economic damage that will likely accompany the second coronavirus lockdown taking place since April. The current lockdown is expected to continue until the end of the High Holy Days, which may be extended by government directive, depending on COVID-19 morbidity throughout the country.
The association said on Facebook it protested by “breaking plates at the same time in thousands of restaurants across the country.”Some restaurant owners have said they plan to defy government directives on the lockdown, with many complaining that it will put them out of business, in part due to a lack of government financial support.
