Thousands of Israelis protested against racism, police brutality and rampant discrimination towards the Ethiopian-Israeli community in a demonstration held in Tel Aviv Wednesday evening, January 30. The protest was called amidst mounting anger after a police officer shot and killed Yehuda Biadga, a 24-year-old resident of Bat Yam, on January 18.

Hadash deputy chairman Dr. Efraim Davidi, MK Dov Khenin and A.D., a social activist during Wednesday’s demonstration against racism in Tel Aviv; the sign held by Davidi reads “Enough of racism!!” (Photo: Zo Haderech)

The demonstrators chanted, “Violent cops belong in prison,” “Bibi [PM Benjamin Netanyahu] go home,” and “Erdan go home,” a reference to the far-right Public Security Minister, Gilad Erdan. Demonstrators carried signs with messages like “Racism? Not in my country,” “Black lives matter,” “Enough violence,” and “Police are murdering Beta Yisrael,” a traditional name for the Ethiopian Jewish community.

Several Hadash and Communist Party of Israel activists participated in the protest, among them MK Dov Khenin. He called the protest “a just struggle for equality against racism and growing police brutality towards the Ethiopian and the Arab communities in Israel.”

The rally at Rabin Square, which followed a march that blocked major thoroughfares and junctions, turned violent near Ibn Gabirol Boulevard. Earlier in the afternoon, thousands of protesters had marched onto the major highways running through Israel’s commercial hub, including the Ayalon Highway at the Hashalom interchange, stopping traffic for several hours and causing major jams that stretched into neighboring towns.

In 2015, a large demonstration in support of the Ethiopian community against police brutality and racism turned violent, transforming the Tel Aviv city center into a massive street brawl. At least 41 people were injured in the melee that went on for hours, and which saw protesters hurl rocks at police and officers respond with stun grenades and water cannon.