Tel Aviv , Israel ( CNN ) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Sunday he will gather a round table to form a plan aimed at easing the financial burden on Israeli citizens in the wake of protests across the country . Netanyahu said he will invite representatives of various groups and sectors to join a special ministerial team that will propose a `` practical plan to alleviate Israelis ' economic burden '' and come up with solutions . Tens of thousands of Israelis took to the streets Saturday night in ten major cities to rail against soaring costs to the middle class in the Jewish state . The ongoing campaign is the latest and most extensive civil protest in recent years . Eight men were arrested late Saturday night in Tel Aviv for attempting to block roads , Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said . Activists have set up tent cities across the country to demand affordable housing and protest against what they describe as social injustice . Some marchers in Tel Aviv held signs reading `` The people demand social justice , '' `` Welfare state now , '' and `` When the government is against the people , the people are against the government . '' `` I think it 's about time to say , 'Enough , ' '' protester Liran Gurbacha told CNN . `` They open too many doors for rich people to make their own rules , to take our money to get richer . This is a democracy , it should act like that . '' Hundreds of police have been deployed nationwide related to the demonstrations . The protesters themselves expressed support for police , saying they should have better pay and working conditions . Having failed to ease the public pressure and gain support for his recently announced plan to increase the number of affordable homes , Netanyahu vowed to `` appoint a special team of ministers and experts that will propose a responsible and practical plan to alleviate Israelis ' economic burden . '' In his speech at the start of Sunday 's weekly cabinet meeting , the prime minister called for calculated measures that would not jeopardize Israel 's growing economy . `` We must avoid irresponsible , hasty and populist steps that are liable to cause the country to deteriorate into the situation of certain European countries , which are on the verge of bankruptcy and large-scale unemployment . I do not think that anyone wants Israel to reach such a situation . '' The prime minister agreed with activists ' claims that imbalances in the Israeli economy are contributing to the hardships . `` We are all aware of the genuine hardship of the cost-of-living in Israel , '' he said . `` This affects many areas . Some of the claims that are being heard are justified and some are not . We are obligated to deal with the genuine claims and distress . Some of them are the result of distortions in the Israeli economy that have taken root here over many long years . '' Meanwhile , Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz , who took much of the heat for soaring prices , faces administrative difficulties within his office . Finance ministry director general Haim Shani announced his resignation Sunday morning , citing professional disagreements with the minister . `` I , as a finance minister , have a responsibility for Israel to not fall into financial anarchy . We must not abandon the principals of our economy , '' Steinitz said Sunday . Israeli President Shimon Peres also expressed his will to serve as mediator between the activists and the government Sunday . `` The president 's residence is open and attentive to the needs of the people . It is my role as a president to listen to the distress and see how I can as a president assist the citizens and the future of the state of Israel , '' Peres said in his meeting with Israeli doctors who are also striking as part of their quest to push for reforms in the health system , including improved wages . Saturday 's protests were the latest and largest in a series of organized demonstrations , led by members of Israel 's middle class , over the high cost of living . While the majority of demonstrators were in their 20s and 30s , many senior citizens also came out to show their concern . `` When we were young and we left the kibbutz , we had nothing , but we had hope , '' said Miri Gilat . `` Now the young people do n't have any hope , and I can not help them . ''
Netanyahu announced he will gather a roundtable to develop a plan . 10 took to the streets Saturday late Saturday night in Tens of thousands major cities . 10 men were arrested night . Activists have set up tent cities .