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There’s a new revolt brewing in the Middle East. It’s not about bringing down a dictator, like in Syria or Egypt. It’s about bringing down the cost of living.

In Israel, one young woman, fed up with unaffordable rents in Tel Aviv, started a Facebook page calling on people to pitch tents on a downtown boulevard.

On Thursday night, hundreds of tents lined the center island of Rothschild Boulevard.
Thousands of Israelis, mostly in their 20s, milled about. Musicians played without asking for tips. Some banged on drums next to a big teepee marked, “The Revolution of Love.” But Shay Soffer, who’s staying in a tent, said don’t be fooled by the carnival atmosphere.

“It is fun, but along with that fun, is coming a big sense of change,” Soffer said. “Change must be done.”
Soffer sat in front of his tent with a few friends, including 28-year-old Tami Ben Tzvi, a fifth-grade teacher. She makes about $1500 a month after taxes. It’s not enough, she said. “If I want to become a mother, I can’t. I can’t afford myself. It’s a luxury for me.”

At an ATM in an upscale part of Tel Aviv, I came upon some people overdrawing on their accounts — taking out more than they actually have. Or Nahson told me that his salary doesn’t cover his cost of living. He makes 4,000 shekels, about $1,160 a month, but his rent is almost 3,000 shekels.

When I asked what he does, he said he worked as bank teller in this ... >>>