Ethiopian Israelis Demonstrate Against Police

Comprising nearly 2% of its population, Israel is home to roughly 126,000 Jews of Ethiopian descent. Largely brought to the Jewish state through two government-sponsored operations in 1984 and 1991, this group has found it difficult to fully integrate into Israeli society. Citing police brutality and harassment, thousands of Ethiopian Israelis and sympathizers march in the center of Tel Aviv as part of an organized demonstration. It deteriorates into violent clashes with police. President Rivlin, responding to the situation, states, “ [these events] exposed an open, bleeding wound in the heart of Israeli society.” PM Netanyahu likewise meets with Ethiopian-Israeli community leaders and soldiers to discuss easing of tensions.