Protests in Israel

An antiracism protest in Tel Aviv became violent on May 4, leaving seven protesters and more than 40 police officers injured.

The protest began after a video, shot in January and showing two Israeli police officers beating an Ethiopian-Israeli soldier, was released on April 27. Among their grievances, Ethiopian-Israeli protesters also cite having poorer job prospects and less access to education. 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with the beaten soldier and called for an end to racism. Both officers are under suspension while the incident is investigated.

Ethiopian-Israelis first arrived in Israel from Ethiopia in a series of airlifts in the 1980s-’90s. More than 135,000 Ethiopian-Israelis currently live in Israel.