Tiberias businesses block streets in rubbish fee row

Business owners in the northern Israeli city of Tiberias brought traffic to a standstill on Galilee Street on Wednesday in protest against what they describe as exorbitant refuse collection charges. The action was sparked by municipal demands for payment ranging from thousands to tens of thousands of shekels for waste disposal services. According to protesters, a small shawarma restaurant was billed 13,000 shekels (roughly £3,000), a sum they claim is disproportionate and unreasonable.

The local municipality has since paused enforcement of the new billing system following the demonstration, but business owners say the move falls short of their demands. “We don’t want enforcement to be frozen—we want this system cancelled entirely,” the protesters stated, indicating they are prepared to escalate their action if their concerns are not addressed.

The dispute highlights tensions between local authorities and small business operators over waste management costs. Business groups in Tiberias have argued that the fees are unsustainable for independent traders operating on thin profit margins, particularly in the hospitality sector. The municipal authority has not yet clarified the basis for the charging structure or whether it plans to review the rates in light of the public backlash.

This is the latest in a series of disputes between Israeli municipalities and small businesses over service fees and fiscal pressures on local councils. The incident reflects broader concerns about the financial viability of small enterprises in Israel, especially following economic challenges in recent years.

Source: Maariv — Original article in Hebrew.