Ethiopian Jews protest against police brutality in Tel Aviv

Hundreds of Israeli Jews of Ethiopian origin took to the streets of central Tel Aviv yesterday to protest against what they said was police brutality and discrimination.

Israel’s Channel 2 said police arrested two protesters on suspicion of disturbing public order, noting that the demonstrators demanded justice and that “the Israeli government stop discriminating against them”.

Security measures in the city were increased in anticipation of the demonstrations. Police warned locals of the likelihood of serious disruptions to traffic and demanded drivers avoid central Tel Aviv.

A police statement said: “The demonstration was unlicensed and the organisers did not ask for permission to demonstrate.”

Over the past three months, Ethiopian Jews have held a series of protests against police brutality in which tens of protesters were injured.

Protests began almost three years ago, when Israeli schools refused to accept Ethiopian children.

According to the Ethiopian National Project, over 100,000 Ethiopian Jews live in Israel.