As opposed to other mixed cities in Israel, Jaffa is unique in its proximity to Tel Aviv and the sea, so it has especially high land values. The inflated housing prices that forced middle class Jews to move to cheaper areas were the pretence for the massive tent protests of 2011, and have already taken their toll on the low-income residents of Jaffa - both Palestinian and Jewish. The difference between them, however, is that Palestinians cannot relocate to cheaper communities, such as neighbouring Bat Yam, because they require Palestinian schools, mosques, services and centres that only an area with a strong Palestinian population can offer.
Posted on: Thu, 17 Apr 2014 16:49:13 +0000