Today’s anti-police-racism protest by Ethiopian Jews in Tel Aviv turned into a violent riot, apparently after police used force to unblock roads and a freeway and to prevent protesters from breaking into City Hall.
Violent Ethiopian Jewish Riots In Tel Aviv Lead To 15 Arrests
Shmarya Rosenberg • FailedMessiah.com
Today’s anti-police-racism protest by Ethiopian Jews in Tel Aviv turned into a violent riot, apparently after police used force to unblock roads and a freeway and to prevent protesters from breaking into City Hall.
Police fired stun grenades and tear gas and protesters responded by throwing rocks, wooden planks, and plastic and glass bottles at police.
Because police decided not to deploy any Ethiopian police officers to work today's protest, supposedly to avoid conflict of interest.
According to a report in Ha’aretz, at least 23 police officers and seven protesters were lightly injured.
Police reportedly made 26 arrests.
Police reportedly say 3,000 people, most Ethiopian Jews, were part of the protest – although some estimates put the number closer to 5,000.
Hundreds of protesters are still in Rabin Square and the surrounding area, some clashing with police.
Ethiopian Jews have long complained of police violence and racism against them, but an incident one week ago in Holon in which police attacked and beat an Ethiopian Jewish IDF soldier in an unprovoked assault and then arrested the soldier and had him charged with the assault police committed has rocked Israel.
The soldier was held in jail overnight and was only released after his family located security camera footage of the assault and released it to the media. The footage proved the soldier was telling the truth and police – as they frequently allegedly do – were lying.
Ethiopian Jews say this type of violence and racism against them is exceedingly common, and many have vowed to disrupt normal Israeli life until the officers who attacked the soldier are arrested and charged.
Related Posts:
Ethiopian IDF Soldier Allegedly Beaten By Police In Unprovoked Racist Attack.
More Than 1,000 Ethiopian Jews Protest Police Racism, Riot In Jerusalem.
Video: Ethiopian Jews' Anti-Police-Racism Protest Turns Violent As Police Attack.
Ethiopian Jews Block Roads In New Anti-Police-Racism Protest.