March 24: Another Mass Rally in Tel Aviv to Stop the Deportation

Another mass rally against the deportation of African refugees and asylum seekers will be held in Tel Aviv, this time in Rabin Square, on Saturday night, March 24, under the slogan “Israel is stopping the deportation!”

According to organizers, “This is a struggle for our values, for the State of Israel. Throughout Israel and across the society we already know, the country can take care of citizens and asylum seekers. All you have to do is come, join us, in demanding together, with one voice, loud and clear: ‘We want a responsible solution.’” “The State of Israel has already passed the deportation legislation. For those in Holot [detention camp] it has already begun. On April 1 it will begin for asylum seekers outside of Holot.”

Refugees and Hadash activists with signs against deportation during the demonstration held on Saturday, February 24, in south Tel Aviv

Refugees and Hadash activists with signs against deportation during the demonstration held on Saturday, February 24, in south Tel Aviv (Photo: Zu Haderech weekly)

“On March 24, just a week before the mass deportation begins, we will come together to call on the government to halt it and examine the asylum requests in a responsible and transparent manner. To stop the deportation we need you – only together we can stop the deportation.”

On Saturday, February 24, more than 20,000 Israelis gathered alongside African refugees in Aviv to protest the government’s plans to deport asylum seekers and to indefinitely imprison those who refuse to leave the country. The protest took place in south Tel Aviv, where most of the city’s asylum seekers reside. Hadash MK Dov Khenin (Joint List) and a number of those slated for deportation addressed the crowd as did some of the area’s Israeli residents.

Protesters carried Hadash signs reading: “No to deportation” and “Refugees and residents [of south Tel Aviv] refuse to be enemies.” Togod Omer Adam, an asylum seeker from Sudan, spoke at the protest and said: “We did not choose to come here to south Tel Aviv. When people arrived at the border [with Israel from Sinai] they gave you a one-way ticket to the Central Bus Station in Tel Aviv.” He also said that he understands the difficult situation that has been created in south Tel Aviv, saying “we are all victims in this story – the more senior Israeli residents and we, the asylum seekers. We all live here, and have for so long, they have tried to make us afraid of one another.”

Related: 20,000 Gather in T-A to Protest Deportation of Asylum Seekers

The protest at Rabin Square on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/156604118336536/