Why Do Ethiopians Face Racism in Israel?

THE SPIN ROOM | Ethiopians in Israel protested for two days against perceived police brutality and racism. Statistics show that Ethiopians are falling behind in the country. Is it because of their skin color? Or something else? Association of Ethiopian Jews spokesperson Mazal Bisawer and Hadassah Academic College professor Doron Shultziner discuss with host Ami Kaufman.

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As a day-long protest over the police killing of 19-year-old Solomon Tekah turned violent, Israeli police forces in riot gear broke up the clashes with dispersal methods including stun grenades late Tuesday night. Hundreds of Ethiopian-Israelis and activists took part in the protests throughout the country, battling police and blocking highways on at least 15 junctions across the country stranding thousands of motorists in major traffic jams.

Over a hundred people were injured in clashes on Tuesday, including 111 police officers, as protesters burned cars and tires with some vandalizing civilian vehicles that attempted to breach impromptu blockades. 136 demonstrators were arrested as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged respect for the law and Internal Security Minister Gilad Erdan vowed to crack down on "anarchy" in the streets. "Everyone was mourning the tragic death of Solomon Teka," Netanyahu said in a video statement.

While acknowledging "there are problems that need to be solved," Netanyahu implored demonstrators to "stop blocking junctions". "I ask you, let's solve the problems together while adhering to the law," he said. Erdan said that police "made every effort and did all possible to allow the protesters to express their pain and put across their message." “We will continue to protect the rights of protesters to demonstrate, but we will not tolerate anarchy and we will not tolerate serious disruptions to public life... or serious destruction of property,” he said. n addition to the protests, dozens more Ethiopian-Israelis joined a Facebook campaign declaring that they would refuse to perform their reserve army duties.

Tekah's killing sparked outrage among members of Israel's Ethiopian community, who say their young people live in constant fear of police harassment because they are black. The off-duty officer who shot Tekah claimed to have been attempting to break up a street brawl involving "a number of youths" who began throwing stones at him. According to a police statement, the officer opened fire at Teka after "feeling that his life was in danger". But eyewitnesses said the policeman was not attacked.

The officer was placed under house arrest and a probe was being launched by the justice ministry department that investigates police conduct. Israeli media reported that an ongoing investigation by the Police Internal Investigations Department will focus on determining whether the officer had justification to discharge his gun. Tekah's is the second controversial killing by police of an Ethiopian-Israeli this year, igniting a storm within the sizable community. Israel's Ethiopian community now numbers around 140,000 people, including more than 50,000 born in the Jewish state. The community has consistently alleged institutionalized racism in recent years.

Source: i24 News
Date: July 5, 2019