SHAME: Israelis Riot, Loot, Attack, Stone African Refugees

Dozens of protesters tried to move from the Hatikva neighborhood, where the rally was held, towards Tel Aviv’s Shapira neighborhood, where most African refugees live. They were stopped by police. Protesters attacked a car passing by carrying African immigrants, smashing its windows. Shops associated with the African community were vandalized. As of midnight Israel time, activists in Hatikva are still reporting looting and occasional attacks on Africans.…

An African man who was attacked following a rightwing rally in Tel Aviv, May 23, 2012 (photo: Oren Ziv/activestills)

Originally published ar 6:13 pm CST 5-23-2012

Israel +972 reports:

More than 1,000 Israelis protested this evening (Wednesday) against the African refugees and asylum seekers who have settled in South Tel Aviv in recent years. According to eyewitnesses reports, the crowd grew angry and ultimately violent, following speeches from Knesset Members, including members of the government coalition.

It was one of the most violent protests Tel Aviv has known in recent years. Confrontations were continuing between police and Jewish citizens at around 10:30 p.m. local time.

Dozens of protesters tried to move from the Hatikva neighborhood, where the rally was held, towards Tel Aviv’s Shapira neighborhood, where most African refugees live. They were stopped by police. Protesters attacked a car passing by carrying African immigrants, smashing its windows. Shops associated with the African community were vandalized. [UPDATE: As of midnight, activists in Hatikva are still reporting looting and occasional attacks on Africans.]

In light of increasing violence and harassment in recent days, activists walked refugee children in Tel Aviv home from school on Wednesday in order to prevent them from potential attacks.

According to Maariv’s website, the mob chased a man from Eritrea, who took shelter in a storefront and was rescued by police. At least two journalists were attacked. One fled the area and the other, whose notepad was snatched by protesters, was sheltered by the cops…

Ha'aretz reports that 9 Israelis were arrested, some of them while they were beating Sudanese refugees.

Ynet has the number of arrests at 17: Fifteen for rioting and assault, and two others for looting a store owned by refugees.

It also reports that speakers asked participants not to take the law into their own hands. However, during the demonstration, MK Miri Regev (Likud) called the refugees "a cancer in our society.” MKs Danny Danon, Yariv Levin (Likud) and Michael Ben-Ari (National Union) also made inflammatory statements.

Iincitement against the refugees over the past two years has come primarily from Zionist Orthodox and haredi rabbis along with right wing politicians, including those who spoke at the rally that preceeded the looting, riot, beatings and vandalism Wednesday night.

Ha'aretz reports that remands were extended today for two members of a gang police believe systematically targeted African refugees. The 11-member gang was allegedly set up to attack the refugees, especially refugees from Sudan and Eritrea. The gang’s nine other members are all minors and will therefore be tried in juvenile court. All of the gang’s members are from south Tel Aviv.

It also reports that Tel Aviv’s mayor, Ron Huldai, launched a campaign today calling for African refugees to be imprisoned and deported. Huldai funded the campaign himself. Six other mayors have signed on to the campaign, including Yehiel Lasry of Ashdod, Yaakov Asher of Bnei Brak,  Benny Vaknin of Ashkelon, Yitzhak Ohayon of Petah Tikva, and Meir Yitzhak-Halevi of Eilat.

[Hat Tip: Shish.]

Comments

[think for a change]

and who was at the protest may I ask? were they religious jews?

[Jake]

Batik ah is definitely not a. Charadie neighborhood.

[Jake]

That was Hatikvah.

Traditionally it had been a poor neighborhood of North African and Yemenite Jews known for it's open air market and Yehua Avazee grilled meats.

[MoishieCohen]

The incitement to this violence over the past two years has come primarily from Zionist Orthodox and haredi rabbis

What a nonsensical suggestion.

Are you seriously suggesting that secular Israelis were influenced by the views of haredi rabbis - influenced enough, to loot and run rampage?

They don't listen to them for anything else, so why should they for this? Heck, most hilonim would be hard pressed to name any haredi rabbis other than rabbis Yosef and Elyashiv.

I suggest their resentment of the Africans runs far deeper than mere haredi incitement

[Bob Guthrie]

The incitement to this violence over the past two years has come primarily from Zionist Orthodox(,) haredi rabbis, and right wing politicians

Nationalsozialismus members.

[UPDATE: As of midnight, activists in Hatikva are still reporting looting and occasional attacks on Africans.]

Kristallnacht,...

It's making the news worldwide, both in and out of thr Internet. I don't know what has being the most damaging act by extremists or criminals in the last few days: the stripping out of live internal organs of mostly Europen Goyin for money, or the hate attacks on another set of people living in Israel because of their race.

[MarkfromShortHills]

My good God. Hitler would have been so, so pleased. Just imagine the conversation in Wannsee: "Mein Fuehrer, the Jews are killing the Negroes!"

It goes even further than Guthrie notes at 6:48. Just as the Nazis did, we have Jews performing destructive medical procedures on helpless poor people. Another ghastly parallel.

[Shmarya]

What a nonsensical suggestion.

Are you seriously suggesting that secular Israelis were influenced by the views of haredi rabbis - influenced enough, to loot and run rampage?

They don't listen to them for anything else, so why should they for this? Heck, most hilonim would be hard pressed to name any haredi rabbis other than rabbis Yosef and Elyashiv.

I hate to burst your bubble, but most of these rioters are traditional Jews. Many are Sefardim.

And while not technically Orthodox, they DO listen to rabbis.

[seymour]

sad, after our long history, then how can we ever complain if we are denied asylum or entrance to a country.

while i understand it is not exactly the same this is not the solution.

again we will see if it was the religious who did this if they did no surprise if it was the secular shame on them

[MoishieCohen]

if it was the religious who did this if they did no surprise if it was the secular shame on them

Posted by: seymour | May 23, 2012 at 07:13 PM

A comment borne out of ignorance.

In Israel the secular Jews of askenazic origin have long been held to be racist towards their sefardic brethren.

No surprise if it's secular Jews caught up in this.

[Josiah Nott]

"And while not technically Orthodox, they DO listen to rabbis"

Boy are you ever on thin ice with that stretttttttttch. There are plenty of Israeli citizens who hate the Black illegals including hundreds of thousands of non-Jewish Russians.

There is a non-Jewish motorcycle gang in the Hudson Valley that has asked a rosh yeshiva for advice & blessings. Are you going to lump them together with orthodox Jews when they do drugs or commit other crimes? I'm not kidding about these bikers.

[Josiah Nott]

I have a better question. With all the tragedies you have blogged about since 2004, have you started ANY OTHER post with "SHAME" or is that only reserved for beloved Black people?

[MoishieCohen]

Shmarya, why do you write

More than 1,000 Israelis protested this evening (Wednesday) against the African refugees and asylum seekers

Yet neglect to quote, or amend, the words used by the same haaretz article you link to?

Over a thousand people demonstrated Wednesday night in south Tel Aviv, calling on Israeli authorities to expel illegal migrants.

[Sol]

Maybe its about time for these refugees to come to the good old USA. Here they could live without prejudice.

[TheRealJoe]

@shmarya, your WRONG, but of course you won't admit it.

These protesters aren't religious, and most of the Politicians attending the rally also aren't religious.

These illegal immigrants, NOW that they DO have a country to go back to (South Sudan), they should tell Israel thanks for hosting us and bye bye.

Instead they are busy raping women and stealing blue collar jobs from poor Israeli's.

[jew]

I wonder why there arent any refugeees in egypt or jordan its perplexing.

[Bob Guthrie]

Posted by: MoishieCohen
Shmarya, why do you write

Posted by: TheRealJoe
@shmarya, your WRONG,...

Why you guys even post on a discussion forum anymore?. What part of "SHAME: Israelis Riot, Loot, Attack, Stone African Refugees" are you guys missing?. That's the incident that's currently tarnishing the reputation go the Jewish people this week on Israel, and being covered around the world, by many news outlets, paper, visual, and net wise.

No matter how heinous the subject is, the only thing I keep seeing from you guys is "Shmarya bad, Shmarya mean, baaaaw".

Contribute or discuss about how to provide solutions about this latest incident and post, stop complaining is not presented just right for your views.

[Bob Guthrie]

Posted by: Sol

Maybe its about time for these refugees to come to the good old USA. Here they could live without prejudice.

Sol, you been a little too long out in the Sun. =)

[E]

Protesters who live in the working class neighborhoods that are flooded by the illegal immigrants spoke of harassment and physical attacks that have become a daily occurrence. Several cases of sexual assaults against Jewish women have been reported in recent months.

[Korbendallas72]

I suggest their resentment of the Africans runs far deeper than mere haredi incitement
Posted by: MoishieCohen | May 23, 2012 at 06:46 PM

The Haredim would never do this. It has to be secular or national religious Jews. Pull a Jew out of his car and beat him, this is what a Haredi would do but an immigrant? Not in 100 years.

[Hakham Yosef Haim]

Why doesn't the Israeli government tell these refugees from Africa that they will only be allowed to stay in Israel if they join the Israeli army and that any refugee male or female between the ages of 18 and 55 will be deported together with their children unless they join the Israeli army. Many Israelis are complaining that there are not enough Israeli soldiers because the haredim are refusing to join the army. Haredim are not fit to be soldiers but these tough black African refugees would be excellent soldiers. They would certainly be better soldiers than haredim would be. If they are willing to join the army they should be given political asylum in Israel.

[Suzanne]

Illegals are huge problem in Israel. Just ask the victims of thier crimes. They are raping,robing and terrorizing the Israeli population. They are coming in by the hundreds and just their sneaking into the country in the first place is a crime. The Israelis have been pretty gracious to them thus far but the national borders of any country must be respected. It is way past time they were deported.

[Korbendallas72]

Israel does have a serious infiltrator problem. African refugees mean African social issues and it seems that the Israeli government needs better controls on its refugee and immigration policies.

[Josiah Nott]

"but these tough black African refugees would be excellent soldiers"

Jimmy "the Greek" Snyder couldn't have said it better LOL! There must be a secret Ama"n (Israeli Military Intelligence) program to breed Black super-soldiers. Where's Yaakov when you need him? There were also super-soldiers on the X-Files.

[TheRealJoe]

@Hakham Yosef Haim

Israel doesn't have a shortage of soldiers and bring the Africans into the Army would only create problems.

The real question is if we allow every disfranchised person a free pass to move to Israel then it will cease to be a Jewish State within a few years.

[Bob Guthrie]

Posted by: Hakham Yosef Haim

Many Israelis are complaining that there are not enough Israeli soldiers because the haredim are refusing to join the army. Haredim are not fit to be soldiers but these tough black African refugees would be excellent soldiers.

Do you know how insulting AND racist this paragraph is?. You are comparing the Chasidim as weak, lily white, limp wristed patsies, while insinuating that Black African refugees are just beasts of burden only fit to take a terrorist bullet for those same patsies.

Way to insert thy foot down thy throat. =/

[Bob Guthrie]

Points offered: The immigration problem

GOOD. There is a consensus that there is an illegal problem in Israel, and the government should do something about it (which they are, fence and detention camp),...

Now, how about this posts message: "SHAME: Israelis Riot, Loot, Attack, Stone African Refugees".

I.e. Some Jewish people acting no better that some of the illegal criminal at best, as WWII German Nazies at worst.

What about their actions being broadcast everywhere, bubbes?. Being racist, violent and criminal is not an excuse/response to an immigration problem, ever.

[Bob Guthrie]

Posted by: TheRealJoe

Israel doesn't have a shortage of soldiers and bring(ing) the Africans into the Army would only create problems.

Wrong AND racists. Did you miss the whole IDF, Tal Law, Haredim discussion, TheRealJoe?. Yes, there is a shortage of available personnel for Jewish Military Duty.

And, there is already Africans serving in the IDF too, Goebbels. Information, is your friend. Try it.

[Bob Guthrie]

*Sigh*
From Haaretz:

Carmela Rosner:

"The only way to get the authority's attention, she added, was to cause physical harm to the migrants. "I don't want that to happen, but there's no alternative," she said, though at the same time she acknowledged that "violence is not the answer."

[Byzantium]

This is all the result of the continued Occupation, the maintaining of which poisons all of Israeli (and Jewish) society, making it increasingly more hostile to all outsiders, as well as more fundamentalist, more vindictive, more aggressive, more hate-filled. Even if you don't give a damn about the Palestinians, the creation of a viable Palestinian state is now vital for the spiritual and mental health of Israel itself.

[ruthie]

i once asked a women what she was going to do with her house.
a black family (a pilot and his family) had moved into the neighborhood....and some homes immediately put up "for sale" signs.
this woman, a survivor, looked at me and said "after how the jews were treated, i should treat someone like that?"
she was the loveliest woman i have ever met.

[Bob Guthrie]

OooOoh,...

I'm watching this on France24's live net feed *facepalm* This is going to take a lot out of the Jewish "We are a persecuted people" argument bag.

I haven't even seen a Jewish person acting this... savagely in my life. They are like doppelgängers from all the people I met in my years in Israel!. I thought we were better than this.

Ouch, one news service is calling it Israeli Night of Broken Glass,... Yes,Kristallnacht. Somebody else noted the correlation. Xp

[Dvidi]

A video of the incident is here..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KiahzVgSCE&feature=g-u-u

[keep israel clean]

if the israeli do not want africans in the country . they should not accept them from the beginning . that way , no clash . no rally , no problem .

the israeli gvt should let the africans into the country only with a short term tourist visa .

that's all we need . africans in israel .
then what ? chinesers ? koreans ? filipinos ? pakistani ?

[Steven in UK]

There can be no place for racial violance anywhere, most certainly not in a Jewish state!.

However Isreal with her tiny size, and remit, can not be expected to cope with unresricted migration, from africa or anywhere else.

[Korbendallas72]

This is all the result of the continued Occupation, the maintaining of which poisons all of Israeli (and Jewish) society, making it increasingly more hostile to all outsiders, as well as more fundamentalist, more vindictive, more aggressive, more hate-filled. Even if you don't give a damn about the Palestinians, the creation of a viable Palestinian state is now vital for the spiritual and mental health of Israel itself.

Posted by: Byzantium | May 24, 2012 at 03:13 AM

Thanks for that wonderful piece of leftist-globalist new-age garbage rhetoric. These are the tones of doleful lamentation the texts say the nations will use when condemning us.

[GetAJob]

However Isreal with her tiny size, and remit, can not be expected to cope with unresricted migration, from africa or anywhere else.

Posted by: Steven in UK | May 24, 2012 at 06:58 AM

Excellent point.

I think that at the very least any illegal who is not working should be deported. One can debate the point as to how to deal with the productive ones.

[Ty]

Mood those nigges deserve it!

[Gretchen]

"I wonder why there arent any refugeees in egypt or jordan its perplexing."

@Jew : There are, they're called Palestinians and they're the largest refugee population in the world and they CAN'T go home.

[pearshapedthings]

@gretchen the dumb cunt "there never was an Arab state called “Palestine” and no one even claimed there was until well after the United Nations created Israel in 1948. The land on which Israel was created by the U.N. was also used by the colonial powers to create Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan. It was land that had belonged to Turkey for 400 years. The Turks are not “Palestinians” and are not even Arabs."

these sudan niggers need to go back to sudan and stop robbing and raping jews...

you american faggots live your life in comfort fondling your cocks and eating bagels...

[spacedout BT]

Egypt doesn't have this problem because they will deport any criminal offender back to his home country where most likely they will kill him

[silvano]

this people didn't learn from past history .they ware a refuge in all the world , they ware a refuge in Eritrea ,and as they complained the eritreans are the most peaceful and zero crime country ,also they shire history with Israel .But the truth is they are racist ,as history repited by it self .