Israel: Ethiopian Jews clash with police in anti-racism protest

Several hundred Ethiopian Israelis clashed with police on 3 May, in what is being termed as the most violent protest in Tel Aviv.

Israelis of Ethiopian origin took to the heart of Tel Aviv at Rabin Square in protest against police racism and brutality.

Some 20 police officers were reportedly injured after protesters threw stones and glass bottles prompting police to use tear gas, reported AFP News.

While local media channels reported on police using tear gas against the protesters, police officials declined to comment.

An unidentified protester told Israel's Channel 2 before police emerged: "I've had enough of this behaviour by the police, I just don't trust them any more ... when I see the police I spit on the ground."

In an earlier demonstration on 30 April, approximately 1,000 Ethiopian Jews took to the streets of Jerusalem marching from the police headquarters to the centre of the city, near the Prime Minister's residence, in protest against police brutality.

"After receiving announcements that they must leave, the demonstrators continued to march, forcing police to disperse the crowd using forceful means," said police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld.

"The protesters began throwing rocks and bottles at police while trying to fend them off."

The tensions have been fuelled by a leaked video clip that revealed two police officers exercising violence on an Israeli soldier of Ethiopian descent.

Ethiopian Jews account for 135,500 out of Israel's total population of over 8 million.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he will meet the Ethiopian soldier, as well as several other Ethiopian Israeli protesters on 4 May.

So far, two police officers have been suspended.