Thousands of Ethiopian Israelis have protested in Tel Aviv against racism and police brutality. The rally was sparked after footage emerged
ADVERTISEMENTThousands of Ethiopian Israelis have protested in Tel Aviv against racism and police brutality.
The rally was sparked after footage emerged purporting to show a black Israeli soldier in uniform being beaten by police.
A link to the original video that sparked tonight's by Ethiopian Israelis against police brutality http://t.co/KN7utgFGzE
— Ruth Marks Eglash (@reglash) May 3, 2015
Ethiopians have been banned from donating blood in Israel, and the country’s health ministry has investigated claims that women were given birth-control injections without their knowledge or consent.
“Why aren’t we allowed to have a good life?,” asked one demonstrator. “If we are okay this will mean that the Israeli people will be ok too.”
Demonstrators chanted “Violent police officers belong in jail,” and “not black and not white, we are all people.”
One protester in Tel Aviv says 'we are not Ethiopians, we are Israelis of Ethiopian heritage. Who are our leaders? We are Israelis….'
— Ruth Marks Eglash (@reglash) May 3, 2015
Police deployed officers on horseback and used stun grenades to try and control the crowds in central Tel Aviv.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he will meet later today with representatives of the Ethopian community as well was the beaten solider.
Rabin square – smoke from the stun grenades hangs in the air about an hour ago #Israelpic.twitter.com/IGIoZNUjpW
— Ben Hartman (@Benhartman) May 3, 2015