Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for rough measures, including immediate deportation, to be taken against Eritreans who rioted in the streets of Tel Aviv on Saturday, he said at a ministerial task force on Sunday the asylum seekers’ riot.
Hundreds of police officers and refugees were injured as protests in Tel Aviv by Eritrean asylum seekers against the East African nation’s regime turned violent, Israel Police and local hospitals reported.
At least 160 people were injured in total, eight in a serious condition, 13 in moderate, and 93 sustaining light injuries. Almost 50 police officers were also injured, most suffering from bruises and other injuries caused by stone-throwing, police confirmed.
Sheba Medical Center declared a mass casualty incident, as 29 injured individuals were brought to the hospital. Among them, 22 were in stable condition and two were in critical condition and received treatment in the intensive care unit. One of them is unconscious and intubated, Sheba said.
Another 13 victims arrived at Shamir Medical Center, including four in stable condition and one in moderate condition. At Wolfson Medical Center, 26 people were admitted, among them nine police officers, all of whom were in light condition. Beilinson Medical Center admitted 20 injured, including three with serious injuries.
Sourasky Medical Center was reporting 38 injured, among them 12 in serious condition, while eight arrived at Sharon Medical Center, all with light injuries.
Police guard while Eritrean asylum seekers who oppose the regime in Eritrea protest outside a conference of regime supporters in south Tel Aviv, September 2, 2023 (credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI/FLASH90)38 injured people from the events in Tel Aviv have been evacuated to Billinson Hospital.
Among the injured, 6 are in moderate condition of which 4 of them have gunshot wounds. All the other injured are in a light condition. None of the police officers who were injured in Tel Aviv were taken to the hospital.
“At this hour, the police and Border Police forces continue to act against lawbreakers in the Tel Aviv area to stop the violence and disturbances,” Israel Police said in a statement. “For the safety of the citizens, we call on the uninvolved public in the areas of disturbances to distance themselves and allow the police to carry out their duties.”
Police: 39 Injured, streets of Tel Aviv have calmed down
Thirty nine protesters have been arrested for attacking police officers by throwing stones, police said, saying they have successfully “calmed the streets of southern Tel Aviv.”
Police forces have regained control, and calm has returned to the streets in the southern Tel Aviv area. Large forces are currently continuing to make arrests and maintain order
— Israel Police (@israelpolice) September 2, 2023
The protests started in northern Tel Aviv and continued into southern neighborhoods throughout the afternoon. The Eritreans were shouting, waving sticks and throwing stones to protest their government and a cultural event it was hosting in the city.
The Eritrean embassy offered an event at a Yad Harutzim Street venue where protesters showed up. The Hebrew website Ynet reported that they caused extensive damage to the building, including setting it on fire. Police were forced to use stun grenades against protesters as the crowd grew more prominent.
Protesters claim they had tried to contact police for weeks leading up to the event in an attempt to prevent the outbreak of violence.
NGOs: Israel Police are using excessive force against asylum seekers
“The demonstrators wanted to protest the blatant interference of the Eritrean embassy in the lives of those who fled the brutal dictatorship. Eritrean embassies around the world are pursuing asylum seekers, and in other countries, embassy events have been canceled precisely because of the fear of flare-ups as we see before our eyes now. This bloody failure could and should have been prevented.” said HaMoked for Refugees and Immigrants and ASSAF, an aid organization for refugees and asylum seekers, in a statement on Saturday.
There were similar protests worldwide last month, including in Sweden, Canada, and the United States.
By mid-day Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said he was being updated on the situation. Police Commissioner Ya’akov Shabtai is expected to hold a situation assessment with Tel Aviv district commander Superintendent Peretz Amar.
Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.
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