Netanyahu mulls deportation of Eritreans over Tel Aviv violence

GOOBJOOG NEWS | TEL AVIV: Israeli president Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered firm steps, including immediate deportation of Eritrean asylum seekers involved in riots in Tel Aviv last weekend.

At least 170 people were injured in violent clashes with police and in-fighting between groups of supporters and opponents of the Eritrean regime.

In his statement, president Netanyahu said “a red line” had been crossed and ordered a new plan to remove all African migrants that he described as “illegal infiltrators”.

Saturday’s disorder began after activists opposed to the Eritrean government said that they had asked Israeli authorities to cancel an event organised by their country’s embassy.

They broke through a police barricade around the venue, which was then vandalised.

Police in riot gear fired tear gas, stun grenades and live rounds as officers on horseback tried to push the protesters away.

An investigation has been opened into whether the use of live fire was within the law.

Israeli police – several dozen of whom were among the injured – said they felt their lives were at risk.

There were also dramatic street battles between large crowds of Eritreans armed with pieces of wood, metal and rocks. As well as attacking each other, they smashed shop windows and cars.

The divisions within Eritrea over the rule of President Isaias Afwerki have spilled over into the diaspora, and this is the latest outbreak of violence in recent weeks.

Residents said the streets of central Tel Aviv sounded like a war zone over several hours, with police helicopters hovering overhead and sirens blaring.

Additional reporting by agencies.