Prominent Right-Wing Activist Shai Paz Dies at 74

Shai Paz, a prominent right-wing activist known for leading a decade-long public campaign against asylum seekers and illegal immigration in southern Tel Aviv, passed away Monday at the age of 74 after battling cancer. Right-wing activist Mordechai David, who was close to Paz, announced her death on social media platform X, sharing a photo and writing, "Blessed is the True Judge. Shai Paz has passed away. May her rest be in Eden."

Paz became a leading figure in the struggle of residents in southern Tel Aviv's neighborhoods, participating in protests and public confrontations. Born in Poland to Holocaust survivors, she immigrated to Israel as a child and rose to public prominence in 2013 as a leader of the southern Tel Aviv residents' protest movement. She headed the "Front for the Liberation of South Tel Aviv," an organization that opposed the presence of migrants and asylum seekers in neighborhoods like Shapira, Neve Shaanan, and Hatikva.

Her activism focused on the residents' quality of life and the impact of immigration on their living environment. Paz became identified with demands for a policy change regarding immigration and engaged in protests and field actions. Her activities, while controversial, made her a central figure in discussions about southern Tel Aviv's future and Israel's asylum seeker policies. She paid a personal price for her activism, including arrests and jail time.

In September 2024, Paz was sentenced to 45 days in prison after being convicted of offenses including breaking into a kindergarten, trespassing, property damage, and endangering public safety, stemming from actions like spraying graffiti and harassment. Paz's public path also included a political shift; she was formerly active in the left-wing Meretz party before joining the right-wing Likud, aligning her political evolution with her prominent role in the anti-immigration movement and the southern Tel Aviv residents' protest.