Israeli police detain 39 Eritreans after chaos in 'Tel Aviv'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
2 Sep 2023 22:45
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Violent clashes erupted between Israeli police and hundreds of Eritrean immigrants in "Israel" as the latter were staging a protest against their home country's government.

Eritrean protesters clash with Israeli occupation police in ‘Tel Aviv’, Sept. 2, 2023 (AP)

The Israeli occupation police claimed to have successfully quelled a riot initiated by Eritrean immigrants in the southern part of "Tel Aviv", arresting 39 individuals allegedly involved in the disturbance. The police further claimed that the detainees possessed tear gas, electric stun guns, and various other weapons.

Earlier today, over 150 individuals were injured, including 19 with serious injuries, as Israeli police crackdown on Eritrean immigrants who were protesting against their home country's government.

According to footage published on social media, the clashes left numerous cars damaged and the windows of shops and cafe windows smashed. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered that "civil order" be restored as soon as possible.

Israeli media reported that the protesters threw stones and wooden planks at Israeli police forces, who began dispersing them using live ammunition, water cannons, and tear gas.

These clashes occurred in opposition to the Eritrean protesters' objection to the hosting of a festival organized by their home country's embassy in "Yad Harutzim".

The protesters vandalized police patrols and shops and set fire to one of the clubs, resulting in 27 Israeli occupation police officers being injured, as per media reports.

Concurrently, Israeli occupation police reportedly arrested 26 protesters, while Police Commissioner Jacob Shabtai conducted a security assessment of the situation in "Tel Aviv", as per Israeli media.

Following Shabtai's security assessment, hundreds of additional Israeli police officers were deployed to support the police in dispersing the protests.

Meanwhile, the Star of David reported that Israeli police forces suffered minor injuries, and 11 people with gunshot wounds were transported to the hospital, four of whom 4 in serious condition.

Israeli police had set up barriers and iron barriers in the area of the Eritrean embassy's festival in "Yad Harutzim" to prevent protesters from reaching the conference hall where it was scheduled to be held. However, the protesters managed to breach the barriers and set fire to the hall and its surroundings, leading to ongoing confrontations and clashes that are expected to escalate.

Israeli police have a long history of #racism and oppression, not only against #Palestinians but against illegal Israeli settlers too. pic.twitter.com/PqHQ3dDOEY
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) March 3, 2023

It is worth noting that Eritreans, who make up the majority of more than 30,000 African asylum seekers in "Israel" and who have sought refuge in "Israel" from political persecution and violence in their homeland, often face discrimination and prejudice. They encounter challenges in accessing essential services, employment opportunities, and housing. Additionally, instances of racially motivated violence and hate crimes have been reported.

This is happening as internal turmoil has been brewing within "Israel", giving rise to challenges and tensions that have captured global attention. Issues of political significance, ideological divides, and concerns by settler communities have combined to create an atmosphere of an imminent internal war.