ON Saturday, violent clashes erupted between pro and anti-Eritrean government supporters in the city of Tel Aviv when the Eritrean Embassy was due to hold an event.
Activists had earlier warned the embassy against hosting the gathering but they say authorities didn’t heed their warning.
More than 150 people were injured as well as at least 30 wounded police officials, according to reports.
Pieces of lumber, metal, and rocks were thrown between the 2 camps in a neighborhood in the south of Tel Aviv where most asylum seekers live.
Protesters also smashed shop windows and vehicles including police cars.
Israeli law enforcement personnel, equipped in riot gear, responded by deploying tear gas, stun grenades, and live rounds, with mounted officers attempting to manage the protesters and disperse the mob.
The following day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a special ministerial committee meeting in Jerusalem in response to the recent outbreak of violent riots involving Eritrean immigrants in Tel Aviv.
During the forum, Netanyahu said he is seeking strong steps against the rioters, including the immediate expulsion of those who took part, and expects a complete and updated plan to repatriate all of the remaining illegal infiltrators from the country.
“Now there remains the serious problem of the illegal infiltrators in southern Tel Aviv and other places, but what happened yesterday crossed a red line. This disturbance, the bloodshed, these are things that we cannot tolerate.”
“Therefore, the first thing that I am doing is to wish a full recovery to the police officers who were injured in the effort to restore order. We are seeking strong steps against the rioters, including the immediate expulsion of those who took part. It is hard for me to understand why we would have a problem with those who declare that they support the regime; they certainly cannot claim refugee status. I would also like this forum to prepare a complete and updated plan to repatriate all of the remaining illegal infiltrators from the state of Israel; this is the purpose of our meeting today. Thank you very much,” according to Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel.
Furthermore, United Nations (UN) Human Rights Chief Volker Turk said Monday that he was alarmed by the high number of injuries during recent clashes in Israel involving Eritrean protesters, adding it is crucial that investigations take place and hate speech is avoided – especially by authorities – and that the principle of non-refoulement is fully respected.
It can be noted that more than 17,000 Eritrean asylum seekers currently reside in Israel, with many of them having entered the country illegally via the border with Egypt.
