Hundreds of Ethiopian-Israelis clashed with police officers in central Tel Aviv on Sunday as a protest sparked by a police beating turned into a violent confrontation.
The protest was the second of the past week, following an event in Jerusalem on April 30th that also turned into a brawl between Ethiopian-Israelis and police trying to contain an unauthorised demonstration that blocked roads.
The rallies were sparked by a video clip broadcast on local television last week that showed an Ethiopian-Israeli soldier being beaten by two police officers, without apparent provocation, in the coastal city of Bat Yam.
About 130,000 Ethiopian Jews live in Israel, brought over in two large airlifts during the 1980s and 1990s. Community leaders have long argued that they suffer from racist attitudes, in particular from police who often associate them with the country's illegal African migrant population.
"We will allow them to express their grievances, but won't agree to unlicensed demonstrations of these types," said police commissioner Yohanan Danino. "We very much understand their anger, but won't allow public disturbances."
Prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu will hold a meeting on Monday with leaders of the Ethiopian community and the soldier who was assaulted, together with relevant government officials, his office said. – (Bloomberg)