Israel orders for deportation of Eritreans after violence in Tel Aviv

TEL AVIV, Israel - Hundreds of Eritreans could face deportation from Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered, following unprecedented violence in Tel Aviv pitting opposition supporters and those allied to Isaias Afwerki, the strongman who has been in power since 1993.

The violence left over 170 people severely injured even as the police struggled to contain the pressure from both sides. It is normal for Africans abroad to express their dissatisfaction with ruling governments or even show support while miles away from home due to democratic spaces.

In his statement, Prime Minister Netanyahu said “a red line” had been crossed and ordered a new plan to remove all African migrants that he described as “illegal infiltrators”. This is the first time however, that violence was witnessed in Israel over unrest in Eritrea.

According to turn police, violence broke out when activists opposed to Isaias Afwerki's authoritarian regime asked the government of Israel to cancel an event organized by Asmara's embassy in Tel Aviv. They broke through a police barricade around the venue, which was then vandalized.

For several hours, police engaged rioters in running battles, using teargas and live bullets, temporarily bringing businesses to a halt in the city. An investigation has been opened into whether the use of live fire was within the law, it has emerged.

There were also dramatic street battles between large crowds of Eritreans armed with pieces of wood, metal, and rocks. As well as attacking each other, they smashed shop windows and cars, Al-Jazeera reports, in what has triggered a response by Jerusalem, which now wants Eritreans seeking asylum to be deported.

Isaias Afwerki has been in power since 1993 when Eritrea separated from Ethiopia and his leadership style has often faced criticism, with a majority of the people accusing him of violation of human rights, and disrespecting democratic spaces besides silencing critics through detentions.

GAROWE ONLINE