Another unexpected front has opened up in Israel. To the biggest civil crisis in its history as a result of the controversial judicial reform plan of the Government that since its announcement in January has unleashed massive protest demonstrations for 35 weeks in a row, to the unprecedented increase in the organized crime and crime in the Israeli Arab sector (166 dead so far this year), to the drums of war with the group hezbollah in Lebanon, to the shadow war with Iran already the wave of attacks deadliest in 20 years in one of the moments of greatest pessimism in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, join this weekend scenes of great violence in Tel Aviv with a distant origin.
On Saturday, clashes between Eritreans – supporters and opponents of the Eritrean regime – shook the southern Israeli city and served as a reminder of the legal limbo in which thousands of asylum seekers. Several hours of clashes between the two Eritrean groups – who used iron bars, sticks and stones while being separated by the police – provoked 170 wounded (19 serious), 39 detainees and numerous destruction of establishments.
After the violent pitched battle, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called an emergency meeting this Sunday to suggest “strong steps against the rioters of the unacceptable riots.” Among the measures are the extension of detentions and the possible immediate deportation of the illegal immigrants who participated in the clashes. “It is difficult for me to understand why we would have a problem (of expelling them) with those who declare themselves regime supporters (Eritrean) that certainly cannot claim refugee status“, Netanyahu said before possible legal obstacles. “If they support the regime so much, then they should return to their country of origin,” he added before leaving for Cyprus on his first trip since he returned to power eight months ago.
Like any summer Saturday, Tel Aviv woke up calmly and quietly for a new day at the beach, rest and leisure. Not so in its most disadvantaged area, which in the last decade has become the main stronghold for Africans who entered illegally. crossing the Egyptian border 230 kilometers before Israel sealed it off with a huge fence in 2013. The Eritrean embassy had organized an event in the south of the city to commemorate the start of the War of Independence against Ethiopia in 1961. For the opponents it was an act of “dictator propaganda” in reference to President Isaias Afewerki, under strong criticism for his repressive policies and for example not calling elections since independence in 1993.
Last week, various churches Eritreans in Israel they sent a letter to the police officers asking that they not authorize the event given the high probability of clashes as it happened in other parts of the world. The police deployment was special but insufficient and he soon found himself overwhelmed by hundreds of Eritreans full of anger against his compatriots. The agents received reinforcements before what was confirmed hour after hour as the most violent clash in recent years in Tel Aviv.