me-organized event in Tel Aviv led to clashes between Eritrean asylum seekers and supporters of the Eritrean government. The event was held to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the current ruler’s rise to power. Opponents of the regime, dressed in blue, gathered to protest against the supporters, who were wearing red.
The peaceful demonstration quickly turned violent as both groups clashed with each other and with the police. The clashes lasted for several hours and resulted in over 150 people being injured, including 15 seriously. The injured included both Eritreans and police officers.
The violence escalated as protesters armed themselves with construction lumber, pieces of metal, rocks, and even an axe. They vandalized shops and police cars, leaving blood spatter on the sidewalks. In response, the police in riot gear used tear gas, stun grenades, and live rounds to control the situation. They also deployed officers on horseback to disperse the protesters.
The injured were taken to Tel Aviv’s Ichilov Medical Center and the Wolfson Medical Center in Holon. The hospitals treated individuals with gunshot wounds, stabbings, and head wounds. The administrator of Ichilov Medical Center described the incident as a mass casualty event on a scale he had not experienced before.
The police stated that they resorted to live fire when they felt their lives were in danger. They fired in the air to disperse protesters who had broken through police barriers. However, it was unclear if any civilians were carrying firearms.
Videos posted on social media showed street battles between the police and rioters, as well as clashes between different groups of Eritrean nationals. The violence was described as a breach of norms by the police.
The police had deployed hundreds of officers to control the situation, but they were overwhelmed by the intensity of the unrest. The police chief later defended the force’s preparation for the rallies but acknowledged that they were swamped by the masses.
Leaders of the Eritrean community had warned the police about potential disturbances and requested the cancellation of the embassy event. They claimed that their warnings were not heeded.
This incident highlights the ongoing tensions within the Eritrean migrant community in Tel Aviv between those who support the regime and those who oppose it. Similar outbreaks of violence have occurred in the past. The Justice Ministry’s Police Internal Investigations Department announced that it would investigate the use of live fire during the riots.Over 150 people were injured in Tel Aviv on Saturday as clashes broke out between asylum seekers from Eritrea protesting against their government and supporters of the regime. The violence erupted during a demonstration against an official Eritrean government event commemorating the 30th anniversary of the current ruler’s rise to power. The opposing groups, distinguished by their blue and red attire, engaged in a violent confrontation that lasted for several hours.
Both sides of the Eritrean community used construction lumber, pieces of metal, rocks, and even an axe as weapons, causing significant damage to the neighborhood where many asylum seekers reside. Protesters vandalized shop windows and police cars, leaving blood spatter on the sidewalks. In response, police in riot gear deployed tear gas, stun grenades, and live rounds. Mounted officers attempted to control the situation, but the protesters broke through barricades and threw rocks at the police. Police claimed that they resorted to live fire when they felt their lives were in danger.
The Magen David Adom emergency service reported that among the injured were 30 police officers with light-to-moderate wounds. Tel Aviv’s Ichilov Medical Center treated 14 seriously injured individuals, 11 of whom had gunshot wounds and four of whom required surgery. Other injuries included stabbings and head wounds. The Wolfson Medical Center in Holon also received injured demonstrators, but no information on their conditions was immediately available.
The violence was described as a “breach of all the norms” by Haim Bublil, the Yarkon District chief of police. He stated that the situation forced the police to use significant means, including live fire. Videos posted on social media showed street battles between police and rioters, as well as clashes between opposing groups of Eritrean nationals.
The police response to the violence has faced scrutiny in recent months. Police Chief Kobi Shabtai defended the force’s preparation for the rallies, stating that they had doubled the number of officers securing the area. However, he acknowledged that the masses overwhelmed the police, leading to the use of live fire. The Justice Ministry’s Police Internal Investigations Department announced that it would investigate the use of live fire during the riots.
Leaders of the Eritrean community claimed that they had warned the police about potential disturbances and requested the cancellation of the embassy event. They expressed frustration that their concerns were not taken seriously.
This is not the first outbreak of violence within the Eritrean migrant community in Tel Aviv. In 2019, a regime supporter was fatally stabbed and beaten by three other members of the Eritrean community. Approximately 17,000 Eritrean nationals currently live in Israel, according to Channel 12 news.
Last month, Eritrea marked 30 years of independence, and festivals held by Eritrea’s diaspora in Europe and North America were attacked by exiles. The Eritrean government dismissed the attackers as “asylum scum.” Those who fled Eritrea describe the violence against the festivals as protests against a repressive government often referred to as the “North Korea of Africa.”
Eritrea has seen hundreds of thousands of people flee the country over the years, with many attempting to reach safety in Europe and thousands seeking refuge in Israel. President Isaias Afwerki, who has led
What steps could the police have taken to better prepare for the potential unrest during the Eritrean community’s commemorative event in Tel Aviv?
Norms” by the police, who had deployed hundreds of officers to control the situation. However, they were overwhelmed by the intensity of the unrest. The police chief defended the force’s preparation for the rallies but acknowledged that they were swamped by the masses.
Leaders of the Eritrean community had previously warned the police about potential disturbances and had requested the cancellation of the embassy event. They claimed that their warnings were not heeded.
This incident highlights the ongoing tensions within the Eritrean migrant community in Tel Aviv between those who support the regime and those who oppose it. Similar outbreaks of violence have occurred in the past. The Justice Ministry’s Police Internal Investigations Department has announced that it will investigate the use of live fire during the riots.
Overall, the clashes between Eritrean asylum seekers and supporters of the Eritrean government during a commemorative event in Tel Aviv resulted in over 150 people being injured, including 15 seriously. The violence escalated quickly, with protesters and police clashing for several hours. Both sides used weapons and vandalized property, leading to a chaotic and intense situation. The police tried to control the unrest but were overwhelmed. The incident underscores the ongoing tensions within the Eritrean community in Tel Aviv and raises questions about the police’s handling of the situation.
This is a terrible situation, violence only perpetuates more hatred and suffering. I hope for a peaceful resolution and healing for all those affected.
It’s disheartening to see violence erupting between migrant groups and their supporters. We need to find a way to promote understanding and coexistence, ensuring the safety and well-being of all involved.