Prominent South Tel Aviv Activist שפי פז Dies at 74

שפי פז, a prominent activist known for her fight for residents of southern Tel Aviv and against illegal immigration, passed away on Monday at the age of 74. Born to Holocaust survivor parents, she immigrated to Israel from Poland as a child. In her later years, פז dedicated herself to advocating for the residents of southern Tel Aviv, arguing that the state had neglected these older neighborhoods and left their inhabitants to deal with the consequences of illegal immigration.

Since 2013, פז was at the forefront of public protest, leading demonstrations and confronting governments, ministers, mayors, and courts. Her activism focused on demanding changes in immigration policy, the removal of "infiltrators" from the neighborhoods, and enhancing residents' personal security. The "Central Bus Station Environs Association" stated that פז refused to accept what she described as the abandonment of southern Tel Aviv residents, even when her activism came at a heavy personal cost.

Just months prior to her death, פז warned in an interview about youth gangs in southern Tel Aviv, noting she had been raising concerns about the phenomenon for a decade. She recounted being called a "Nazi" for documenting and reporting on their violent and hateful behavior, with her warnings being dismissed as "xenophobia." פז believed that legislative changes and empowering the police with greater authority to deal with minors were necessary, stating that "nothing but expulsion will work."

In September 2024, a Tel Aviv court sentenced פז to 45 days in prison for vandalism committed during her protests. She began serving her sentence at Neve Tirtza prison in November of that year. Her imprisonment drew significant reactions, with supporters viewing her as a symbol of the struggle for southern Tel Aviv residents, while opponents and human rights organizations criticized some of her actions and statements.

In a joint eulogy, Amalia Ozer, Deputy Director of the Central Bus Station Environs Association, and association spokesperson Yaakov Sela, described פז as a brave leader, a dear friend, and a symbol of determination, dedication, and love for the country. They stated she was "the voice of the transparent people, those who were forgotten."