We are now into September and the summer months are over; and with them the Israeli Summer social protest movement is moving into a new phase.

On Saturday night the Million Man March attracted over 450,000 people at different demos around the country. The Million was a slogan not a target, and the 450,000 was a real achievement – apparently the largest demo that Israel has ever seen. On Sunday many of the tent dwellers and protesters decided to go home, ready for autumn and the new academic year. However, many of the hard core really poor are staying on for the time being, although in some cities they are being removed by force.

With so many protesters out there in different cities I think that there are many many agendas. (Remember the joke about 10 Jews 20 opinions) However, it seems fair to say that the social contract between the state and its citizens; and the fairer (or is it more efficient?) distribution of national resources are both up for discussion. So too is the level of competition in a relatively small and concentrated market and therefore, the profits on consumer items.

The government did what governments do in these cases and set up a committee.

I wonder if the committee will address fundamental questions of national priority (defence, health, education, infrastructure) and the real needs (good affordable public transportation infrastructure rather than the cost of a flat in the centre of Tel Aviv.) If it does not address these issues then in the eyes of many it will have failed. In fairness, however, if it does deal with these issues decisively then it is changing some of the public policy that is really the remit of the electorate and the elected and not of a demo, however, large and impressive it maybe.

In fact many of my friends believe that the next major stage in the movement will be in the manifestos and perhaps even a new political party or two (like we are short of political parties) at the next election.

I hope that the committee will contribute to the debate with intelligence sensitivity and understanding. Personally, I think that much of the problem relates to our willingness as consumers to pay ridiculous prices for even basic goods – we all “know” that we overpay on our weekly shop and that there are more economic choices if only we traveled further, visited more than one shop or compromised on choice.

However, it seems that as a nation we may be starting to change finding out more price information and be more rational in our decisions.

My real concern is that (prepare for huge generalisation) is that we like to live above our means. In my last post xxx I discussed that much of the protests are driven by middle class expectations for standards of living and disposable income. I respect this and would also like to do more and live better on my salary. This is one of the surprising things about the protests – the claim has been made that the middle class in Israel get a rotten deal and an honest day's work doesn't go as far as it could do – or would do elsewhere in the world.

However, in my mind the question still remains if we are trying to live above our means. Even if this is the case I guess that it doesn't change some of the fundamental issues that the demos raise – but, it may well be part of the overall solution. The state must serve the citizen better, but I hope that we citizens have a role in our own destiny. If housing is expensive, if transport is in need of improvement and education less than perfect that doesn't mean that we have to spend and spend. Some say that the spend spend mentality (if it exists) is part of the national psyche, because of the uncertainty that we have about tomorrow – we like to live for today. This necessarily means that we are less well equipped tomorrow than we could have been.

The school year started last week. There are changes afoot in the education system that I hope lead to better pay for teachers and improvement in education. I don't understand the details, but the fact that year started without strikes must be a good sign. Some of my readers have drawn my attention to the recent unpleasantness at a Beit Shemesh school that was occupied by some religious fanatics and where not effectively stopped by the local authorities until the Ministry of Education and then the police intervened. I don't live in the area and didn't see what went on – but I can't see how violence advances this cause or brings any glory to heaven. I hope that it is really only a tiny minority involved and that it was probably more about power and city politics and less about an issue. In Israel, the period around Rosh Hashana is a universal time of reflection independent of one's immediate beliefs. In the wake of the social justice demos I hope that the next “revolution” is about making a society where we can always find ways to understand and cooperate with each other rather than making them the people that we are against.

The media has now moved on – back to longer term and more familiar issues. The new and weaker relationship with Turkey and the impending debate at the UN. Truly a feeling of autumn with the winter close at hand.

On the other hand as we approach Rosh Hashana there are lots of things to be proud of and signs of hope whatever opinion you take on the demos and the issues. The best thing in my opinion that comes out of all the protests is the feeling that people really care about where they live. It is hard to see it as completely altruistic, but it is about our joint future and about understanding the Israel that we want to build. I think we have a lot of things to be appreciate here. It isn't yet completely perfect, but we are working on it.

Maybe next year........

Jonathan is a Mancunian and now a Jerusalemite. He writes frequently on the beautiful life in Israel and on Israeli tourism on the popular In Israel Blog on http://www.israelinsideout.com