Tens of thousands of Israelis marched for lower living costs on Saturday, increasing the pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to administer sweeping economic reforms.

Demonstrations in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa marked the climax of a summer-long grass-roots protest that has ballooned from a few tents in Tel Aviv to a nationwide movement.

The protests initially targeted soaring housing prices, but quickly evolved into a sweeping expression of rage against a wide array of economic issues.

In response, the prime minister has appointed a special committee to address the protesters' demands. But demonstrators have rejected all the reforms offered so far and have pledged to continue their action.

Some 40,000 Israelis take part in a rally asking for lower living costs at Jerusalem's Paris Square, Sept. 3, 2011. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis took to the street on Saturday night across the country in demand for affordable housing, education and medical care.[Xinhua]

Some 40,000 Israelis take part in a rally asking for lower living costs at Jerusalem's Paris Square, Sept. 3, 2011. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis took to the street on Saturday night across the country in demand for affordable housing, education and medical care.[Xinhua]

A woman shouts slogans as some 40,000 Israelis take part in a rally asking for lower living costs at Jerusalem's Paris Square, Sept. 3, 2011. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis took to the street on Saturday night across the country in demand for affordable housing, education and medical care.[Xinhua]

Some 40,000 Israelis take part in a rally asking for lower living costs at Jerusalem's Paris Square, Sept. 3, 2011. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis took to the street on Saturday night across the country in demand for affordable housing, education and medical care.[Xinhua]