22 june 2015
Protesters march in central Tel Aviv, blocking roads and calling out 'A violent cop must be locked up!' after decision not to prosecute policeman filmed beating Ethiopian soldier.
Hundreds of Israeli Ethiopians returned to the streets of Tel Aviv on Monday afternoon to continue their protest against discrimination after the attorney-general decided not to prosecute a police officer documented beating an Ethiopian soldier.
Protesters marched from the Azrieli Center on Kaplan Street, blocking it in both directions and calling out "A violent cop must be locked up!" One protester was arrested after lying on the road and blocking traffic.
As the protests progressed and moved into Rabin Square in the evening hours, violent clashes began erupting and at least 17 protesters were arrested. Protesters were hurling objects, and damage was caused to the Landwercafe near the square.
The Ethiopian community's protest broke out last month after security footage was released showing a police officer beating IDF soldier Damas Pakada, who is of Ethiopian descent. Several large demonstration took place since, the biggest of which was on May 4, when clashes broke out between protesters and police.
"The decision to close the investigation (against the police officer) proved that Ethiopians in Israel have no basic human rights," Yaiyo Avraham, one of the protest's organizers, told Ynet. "We will fight for our rights following the cowardly decision of the attorney-general and consider turning to international courts because here we are not getting justice."
Former Yesh Atid MK Shimon Solomon told Ynet that "Our main problem is that the court is disconnected from our suffering. We need to cry out. We are not new immigrants, this is our country. A country that was established on the ruins of racism, and that is why all of the people of Israel need to cry out with us. We need to say we can no longer keep our heads down and be nice. The court cannot protect the guilty. There isn't one person here who hasn't experienced racism. We need to protest and demand change. We have a responsibility to heal this country of racism."
A joint committee of representatives from the Ethiopian community and the police recommended on Monday to turn 64 criminal cases involving members of the community to rehabilitative cases with the objective of "returning these minors to a normative path."
The committee, which was formed by Police Commissioner Yohanan Danino after the beginning of the Ethiopian community's protest, released its findings on Monday. While the committee does include representatives of the community, some of them resigned in protest when the committee started its probe. The committee examined 300 criminal cases and did not find evidence of discrimination or violations of rights of youths from the Ethiopian community.
"The committee placed special emphasis on the involvement of teens and youth from the community in its extensive examination of hundreds of cases," the committee's report said. Among the committee's recommendation was to further clarify procedures and guidelines on handling youth, as well as placing an emphasis in policemen's training on gaps in worldview and language existing between them and some members of the community.
To that end, the committee also recommended to assign police officers who speak the Amharic language to all police stations, as well youth investigators who speak Amharic in areas where there is a large presence of the Ethiopian community.
The committee further recommended providing forms in Amharic and other languages spoken by minorities both at police stations and online so members of these minorities who are not fluent in Hebrew would be able to file a complaint against police officers when the need arises. Another recommendation called to increase transparency on disciplinary action taken against police officers, by informing the complainants of the findings of the investigation made against those officers. The report noted that "the committee members expect support from the community and its trust to finish the process."
Police said Monday that these recommendations require additional manpower and finances.
Hundreds of Israeli Ethiopians returned to the streets of Tel Aviv on Monday afternoon to continue their protest against discrimination after the attorney-general decided not to prosecute a police officer documented beating an Ethiopian soldier.
Protesters marched from the Azrieli Center on Kaplan Street, blocking it in both directions and calling out "A violent cop must be locked up!" One protester was arrested after lying on the road and blocking traffic.
As the protests progressed and moved into Rabin Square in the evening hours, violent clashes began erupting and at least 17 protesters were arrested. Protesters were hurling objects, and damage was caused to the Landwercafe near the square.
The Ethiopian community's protest broke out last month after security footage was released showing a police officer beating IDF soldier Damas Pakada, who is of Ethiopian descent. Several large demonstration took place since, the biggest of which was on May 4, when clashes broke out between protesters and police.
"The decision to close the investigation (against the police officer) proved that Ethiopians in Israel have no basic human rights," Yaiyo Avraham, one of the protest's organizers, told Ynet. "We will fight for our rights following the cowardly decision of the attorney-general and consider turning to international courts because here we are not getting justice."
Former Yesh Atid MK Shimon Solomon told Ynet that "Our main problem is that the court is disconnected from our suffering. We need to cry out. We are not new immigrants, this is our country. A country that was established on the ruins of racism, and that is why all of the people of Israel need to cry out with us. We need to say we can no longer keep our heads down and be nice. The court cannot protect the guilty. There isn't one person here who hasn't experienced racism. We need to protest and demand change. We have a responsibility to heal this country of racism."
A joint committee of representatives from the Ethiopian community and the police recommended on Monday to turn 64 criminal cases involving members of the community to rehabilitative cases with the objective of "returning these minors to a normative path."
The committee, which was formed by Police Commissioner Yohanan Danino after the beginning of the Ethiopian community's protest, released its findings on Monday. While the committee does include representatives of the community, some of them resigned in protest when the committee started its probe. The committee examined 300 criminal cases and did not find evidence of discrimination or violations of rights of youths from the Ethiopian community.
"The committee placed special emphasis on the involvement of teens and youth from the community in its extensive examination of hundreds of cases," the committee's report said. Among the committee's recommendation was to further clarify procedures and guidelines on handling youth, as well as placing an emphasis in policemen's training on gaps in worldview and language existing between them and some members of the community.
To that end, the committee also recommended to assign police officers who speak the Amharic language to all police stations, as well youth investigators who speak Amharic in areas where there is a large presence of the Ethiopian community.
The committee further recommended providing forms in Amharic and other languages spoken by minorities both at police stations and online so members of these minorities who are not fluent in Hebrew would be able to file a complaint against police officers when the need arises. Another recommendation called to increase transparency on disciplinary action taken against police officers, by informing the complainants of the findings of the investigation made against those officers. The report noted that "the committee members expect support from the community and its trust to finish the process."
Police said Monday that these recommendations require additional manpower and finances.
Protesters march in central Tel Aviv, blocking roads and calling out 'A violent cop must be locked up!' after decision not to prosecute policeman filmed beating Ethiopian soldier.
Hundreds of Israeli Ethiopians returned to the streets of Tel Aviv on Monday afternoon to continue their protest against discrimination after the attorney-general decided not to prosecute a police officer documented beating an Ethiopian soldier.
Protesters marched from the Azrieli Center on Kaplan Street, blocking it in both directions and calling out "A violent cop must be locked up!" So far, there have only been mild confrontations between protesters and police, and only one person has been arrested.
The Ethiopian community's protest broke out last month after security footage was released showing a police officer beating IDF soldier Damas Pakada, who is of Ethiopian descent. Several large demonstration took place since, the biggest of which was on May 4, when clashes broke out between protesters and police.
"The decision to close the investigation (against the police officer) proved that Ethiopians in Israel have no basic human rights," Yaiyo Avraham, one of the protest's organizers, told Ynet. "We will fight for our rights following the cowardly decision of the attorney-general and consider turning to international courts because here we are not getting justice."
Former Yesh Atid MK Shimon Solomon told Ynet that "Our main problem is that the court is disconnected from our suffering. We need to cry out. We are not new immigrants, this is our country. A country that was established on the ruins of racism, and that is why all of the people of Israel need to cry out with us. We need to say we can no longer keep our heads down and be nice. The court cannot protect the guilty. There isn't one person here who hasn't experienced racism. We need to protest and demand change. We have a responsibility to heal this country of racism."
Former Yesh Atid MK Shimon Solomon told Ynet that "Our main problem is that the court is disconnected from our suffering. We need to cry out. We are not new immigrants, this is our country. A country that was established on the ruins of racism, and that is why all of the people of Israel need to cry out with us. We need to say we can no longer keep our heads down and be nice. The court cannot protect the guilty. There isn't one person here who hasn't experienced racism. We need to protest and demand change. We have a responsibility to heal this country of racism."
The committee, which was formed by Police Commissioner Yohanan Danino after the beginning of the Ethiopian community's protest, released its findings on Monday. While the committee does include representatives of the community, some of them resigned in protest when the committee started its probe. The committee examined 300 criminal cases and did not find evidence of discrimination or violations of rights of youths from the Ethiopian community.
"The committee placed special emphasis on the involvement of teens and youth from the community in its extensive examination of hundreds of cases," the committee's report said. Among the committee's recommendation was to further clarify procedures and guidelines on handling youth, as well as placing an emphasis in policemen's training on gaps in worldview and language existing between them and some members of the community. To that end, the committee also recommended to assign police officers who speak the Amharic language to all police stations, as well youth investigators who speak Amharic in areas where there is a large presence of the Ethiopian community.
The committee further recommended providing forms in Amharic and other languages spoken by minorities both at police stations and online so members of these minorities who are not fluent in Hebrew would be able to file a complaint against police officers when the need arises. Another recommendation called to increase transparency on disciplinary action taken against police officers, by informing the complainants of the findings of the investigation made against those officers. The report noted that "the committee members expect support from the community and its trust to finish the process."
Police said Monday that these recommendations require additional manpower and finances.
Hundreds of Israeli Ethiopians returned to the streets of Tel Aviv on Monday afternoon to continue their protest against discrimination after the attorney-general decided not to prosecute a police officer documented beating an Ethiopian soldier.
Protesters marched from the Azrieli Center on Kaplan Street, blocking it in both directions and calling out "A violent cop must be locked up!" So far, there have only been mild confrontations between protesters and police, and only one person has been arrested.
The Ethiopian community's protest broke out last month after security footage was released showing a police officer beating IDF soldier Damas Pakada, who is of Ethiopian descent. Several large demonstration took place since, the biggest of which was on May 4, when clashes broke out between protesters and police.
"The decision to close the investigation (against the police officer) proved that Ethiopians in Israel have no basic human rights," Yaiyo Avraham, one of the protest's organizers, told Ynet. "We will fight for our rights following the cowardly decision of the attorney-general and consider turning to international courts because here we are not getting justice."
Former Yesh Atid MK Shimon Solomon told Ynet that "Our main problem is that the court is disconnected from our suffering. We need to cry out. We are not new immigrants, this is our country. A country that was established on the ruins of racism, and that is why all of the people of Israel need to cry out with us. We need to say we can no longer keep our heads down and be nice. The court cannot protect the guilty. There isn't one person here who hasn't experienced racism. We need to protest and demand change. We have a responsibility to heal this country of racism."
Former Yesh Atid MK Shimon Solomon told Ynet that "Our main problem is that the court is disconnected from our suffering. We need to cry out. We are not new immigrants, this is our country. A country that was established on the ruins of racism, and that is why all of the people of Israel need to cry out with us. We need to say we can no longer keep our heads down and be nice. The court cannot protect the guilty. There isn't one person here who hasn't experienced racism. We need to protest and demand change. We have a responsibility to heal this country of racism."
The committee, which was formed by Police Commissioner Yohanan Danino after the beginning of the Ethiopian community's protest, released its findings on Monday. While the committee does include representatives of the community, some of them resigned in protest when the committee started its probe. The committee examined 300 criminal cases and did not find evidence of discrimination or violations of rights of youths from the Ethiopian community.
"The committee placed special emphasis on the involvement of teens and youth from the community in its extensive examination of hundreds of cases," the committee's report said. Among the committee's recommendation was to further clarify procedures and guidelines on handling youth, as well as placing an emphasis in policemen's training on gaps in worldview and language existing between them and some members of the community. To that end, the committee also recommended to assign police officers who speak the Amharic language to all police stations, as well youth investigators who speak Amharic in areas where there is a large presence of the Ethiopian community.
The committee further recommended providing forms in Amharic and other languages spoken by minorities both at police stations and online so members of these minorities who are not fluent in Hebrew would be able to file a complaint against police officers when the need arises. Another recommendation called to increase transparency on disciplinary action taken against police officers, by informing the complainants of the findings of the investigation made against those officers. The report noted that "the committee members expect support from the community and its trust to finish the process."
Police said Monday that these recommendations require additional manpower and finances.
14 june 2015
Justice Ministry decides not to file criminal charges in case of soldier beaten by policeman that sparked claims of racism and major protests in Ethiopian community.
The policeman caught on camera beating Damas Pakada, an IDF soldier of Ethiopian descent, will not face criminal charges, Attorney-General Yehuda Weinstein decided on Sunday.
"I'm deeply disappointed by the law enforcement bodies, and in general by the policeman and the Attorney General," said Pakada on Sunday evening.
Pakada's attorney, Eyal Abulafiya, said he intended to appeal the decision. "It's a bizarre decision that is full of internal contradictions, and it's pretty obvious from the decision what the Attorney General thinks about the man seen giving the beating in the incident," he said.
"It looks like there's an attempt to appease the police officer population," he continued. "Did those who made the decision see what the public saw or another video?"
Weinstein decided to adopt the recommendation of State Prosecutor Shai Nitzan and that of the Police Investigation Unit to close the case against the police officer.
However, the Police Investigation Unit recommended the case will be transferred to the Police Disciplinary Tribunal to examine the police officer's conduct.
The video of the beating led to an outcry by Israeli Ethiopians, who marched in protests around Israel in an attempt to raise awareness of discrimination, racism and police brutality. Protesters blocked major roads in Tel Aviv, and scores were wounded and arrested in clashes with police.
The Justice Ministry said the evidence in the case, including the video, shows that "after the policeman asked the soldier repeatedly to leave the site because of a suspicious package nearby, and the soldier refused and pushed the policeman, the policeman used force to remove the soldier. In response, the soldier punched the policeman and in return the policeman punched the soldier."
According to the statement, the policemen behaved "impeccably" in the situation.
The ministry concluded that the circumstances warranted consideration of disciplinary action, but did not call for criminal prosecution, and that there was no racial motivation behind the incident. It also noted that the policeman has already been fired from his job in the police. The Justice Ministry emphasized that the soldier did not follow the policeman's orders and used violence.
However, it continued, the circumstances also do not justify prosecution of the soldier for attacking a policeman. Last month Pakada filed a lawsuit at Tel Aviv's Magistrate Court in which he demands NIS 390,000 (some $100,000) plus legal expenses in compensation from the police.
Abulafiya said it was a case of police brutality motivated by racism, "one of the more shocking cases seen recently in Israel, which was documented by security cameras by coincidence."
He went on to say that on top of police displaying serious racism, the case provided a rare glimpse "into a regular habit, which is wrong to the core, that happens frequently in the Israeli Police, who use violence against civilians, make false accusations, and more."
Following the protests, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had appointed a ministerial committee to address the integration challenges faced by Israelis of Ethiopian origin, including difficulties in the field of education, housing and employment. After the incident was captured on video, MK Avraham Negusie of Likud suggested a Damas Pakada Bill, calling for police officers to wear cameras in order to document the arrest procedure or detention of an Israeli citizen.
The decision to close the criminal case came after a significant step by the police, when Commissioner Yohanan Danino declared days after the incident that the policeman would be fired, subject to a hearing.
Members of the Israeli Ethiopian community began voicing protest soon after the case was closed. Prominent activists said that the protest would be resumed.
The policeman caught on camera beating Damas Pakada, an IDF soldier of Ethiopian descent, will not face criminal charges, Attorney-General Yehuda Weinstein decided on Sunday.
"I'm deeply disappointed by the law enforcement bodies, and in general by the policeman and the Attorney General," said Pakada on Sunday evening.
Pakada's attorney, Eyal Abulafiya, said he intended to appeal the decision. "It's a bizarre decision that is full of internal contradictions, and it's pretty obvious from the decision what the Attorney General thinks about the man seen giving the beating in the incident," he said.
"It looks like there's an attempt to appease the police officer population," he continued. "Did those who made the decision see what the public saw or another video?"
Weinstein decided to adopt the recommendation of State Prosecutor Shai Nitzan and that of the Police Investigation Unit to close the case against the police officer.
However, the Police Investigation Unit recommended the case will be transferred to the Police Disciplinary Tribunal to examine the police officer's conduct.
The video of the beating led to an outcry by Israeli Ethiopians, who marched in protests around Israel in an attempt to raise awareness of discrimination, racism and police brutality. Protesters blocked major roads in Tel Aviv, and scores were wounded and arrested in clashes with police.
The Justice Ministry said the evidence in the case, including the video, shows that "after the policeman asked the soldier repeatedly to leave the site because of a suspicious package nearby, and the soldier refused and pushed the policeman, the policeman used force to remove the soldier. In response, the soldier punched the policeman and in return the policeman punched the soldier."
According to the statement, the policemen behaved "impeccably" in the situation.
The ministry concluded that the circumstances warranted consideration of disciplinary action, but did not call for criminal prosecution, and that there was no racial motivation behind the incident. It also noted that the policeman has already been fired from his job in the police. The Justice Ministry emphasized that the soldier did not follow the policeman's orders and used violence.
However, it continued, the circumstances also do not justify prosecution of the soldier for attacking a policeman. Last month Pakada filed a lawsuit at Tel Aviv's Magistrate Court in which he demands NIS 390,000 (some $100,000) plus legal expenses in compensation from the police.
Abulafiya said it was a case of police brutality motivated by racism, "one of the more shocking cases seen recently in Israel, which was documented by security cameras by coincidence."
He went on to say that on top of police displaying serious racism, the case provided a rare glimpse "into a regular habit, which is wrong to the core, that happens frequently in the Israeli Police, who use violence against civilians, make false accusations, and more."
Following the protests, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had appointed a ministerial committee to address the integration challenges faced by Israelis of Ethiopian origin, including difficulties in the field of education, housing and employment. After the incident was captured on video, MK Avraham Negusie of Likud suggested a Damas Pakada Bill, calling for police officers to wear cameras in order to document the arrest procedure or detention of an Israeli citizen.
The decision to close the criminal case came after a significant step by the police, when Commissioner Yohanan Danino declared days after the incident that the policeman would be fired, subject to a hearing.
Members of the Israeli Ethiopian community began voicing protest soon after the case was closed. Prominent activists said that the protest would be resumed.
3 june 2015
Scuffles with police erupt as about 100 people demonstrate for Ethiopians' rights.
Around a hundred people demonstrated for Ethiopians' rights outside Azrieli Tower in Tel Aviv on Wednesday, eventually blocking Begin Road, a major thoroughfare.
Following two hours of quiet protesting, at 8 PM scuffles began to erupt and two protesters were arrested.
At one point, police shoved back protesters who walked into the road. One protester said that he was demonstrating because after 30 days, police officers who beat an Ethiopian Israeli soldier on camera have not been brought to justice. Police meanwhile warned that the demonstration was being held without a permit and that because it had identified the intention to provoke violence, cautioned that it would take a "zero tolerance" policy towards protestors breaking the law.
"The discrimination we have all seen must not happen," said one demonstrator. "We as Jews stand up every year during a siren in memory of six million Jews, we read the Passover Hagadah and what Pharaoh did. "Can a Jewish government do such a thing to its people?"
A demonstrator from Netanyahu said earlier in the day that the protest would not be violent. "There's a lot of anger because of the policeman who beat a soldier, but the anger is not just about that," he said.
"We feel the pain of discrimination against children segregated in classes and feel that being an Israeli of Ethiopian origin is difficult. They don't accept you because you're different, even though you're not different. Our parents came here with great love, and now there is great pain."
Publicity for the protest emphasized nonviolence, with the central demand that the policemen who hit soldier Damas Pakada be brought to justice.
Protesters said they were dismayed at the lack of progress in the case. "It feels like nothing has changed in the last few weeks," said one. "It's all talk. So that's what we are going to protest against."
Another scoffed at those who deny there is institutional racism in Israel, saying it was like saying there is no anti-Semitism in Europe.
Chief Superintendent Hila Hamo, the spokeswoman for Tel Aviv District Police, said the police was aware of "militant intentions among radical elements within the protestors, who incite to violence and hurting civilians, policemen, and property."
Around a hundred people demonstrated for Ethiopians' rights outside Azrieli Tower in Tel Aviv on Wednesday, eventually blocking Begin Road, a major thoroughfare.
Following two hours of quiet protesting, at 8 PM scuffles began to erupt and two protesters were arrested.
At one point, police shoved back protesters who walked into the road. One protester said that he was demonstrating because after 30 days, police officers who beat an Ethiopian Israeli soldier on camera have not been brought to justice. Police meanwhile warned that the demonstration was being held without a permit and that because it had identified the intention to provoke violence, cautioned that it would take a "zero tolerance" policy towards protestors breaking the law.
"The discrimination we have all seen must not happen," said one demonstrator. "We as Jews stand up every year during a siren in memory of six million Jews, we read the Passover Hagadah and what Pharaoh did. "Can a Jewish government do such a thing to its people?"
A demonstrator from Netanyahu said earlier in the day that the protest would not be violent. "There's a lot of anger because of the policeman who beat a soldier, but the anger is not just about that," he said.
"We feel the pain of discrimination against children segregated in classes and feel that being an Israeli of Ethiopian origin is difficult. They don't accept you because you're different, even though you're not different. Our parents came here with great love, and now there is great pain."
Publicity for the protest emphasized nonviolence, with the central demand that the policemen who hit soldier Damas Pakada be brought to justice.
Protesters said they were dismayed at the lack of progress in the case. "It feels like nothing has changed in the last few weeks," said one. "It's all talk. So that's what we are going to protest against."
Another scoffed at those who deny there is institutional racism in Israel, saying it was like saying there is no anti-Semitism in Europe.
Chief Superintendent Hila Hamo, the spokeswoman for Tel Aviv District Police, said the police was aware of "militant intentions among radical elements within the protestors, who incite to violence and hurting civilians, policemen, and property."
30 may 2015
Israeli Ethiopians protest police brutality
Rate of Israeli Ethiopians at Ofek detention center is almost 12 times bigger than rate of the community in the general population.
Concerning data released by the Israel Prison Service this week show an astronomic rate of Israeli Ethiopian teenagers who are jailed at the Ofek detention center in the Sharon Prison, the only detention facility in Israel for under-18s.
Data presented on Thursday to MKs Michal Rozin (Meretz), Meir Cohen (Yesh Atid) and Meirav Ben-Ari (Kulanu) who toured the detention center showed that out of 135 teenagers imprisoned in Ofek, 27 of them were of Ethiopian descent. When looking at just the Jewish population at the detention center (65 teens) the situation becomes even more concerning - 41.5 percent of Jewish detainees are of Ethiopian descent.
Compared to their high rates in the detention center, the size of the Ethiopian community in the Israeli population is very small and stands at only about 1.7 percent. Among the Israeli Ethiopian detainees, 11 are serving time for property offenses, seven for assault and intimidation, six for robbery, four for sexual offenses, three for battery, one for manslaughter and one for disturbing the public order.
"This is discrimination and racism, an Ethiopian teenager is arrested based on the color of his skin. They were marked before committing any offense," accused Hadar Tabaga, an activist in an organization aiding risk youth. "No one listens to them and they are not given the right to speak." According to Ziva Mekonen-Dagu, the head of the Israel Association of Ethiopian Jews, "This is not just a problem of Israeli Ethiopians, it is a problem of the entire Israeli society.
No child is born bad, these children become victims. If the welfare system took care of them, these children would not have gotten into these situations." The data, MK Rozin said, should be "a wakeup call" to the government. "The teenagers who reach this detention center are part of the most discriminated against fringe populations in Israel both in resources and in infrastructure - Ethiopians and Arabs," she said.
Rozin called on the government to increase the resources to these communities and pay more attention to the periphery.
Rate of Israeli Ethiopians at Ofek detention center is almost 12 times bigger than rate of the community in the general population.
Concerning data released by the Israel Prison Service this week show an astronomic rate of Israeli Ethiopian teenagers who are jailed at the Ofek detention center in the Sharon Prison, the only detention facility in Israel for under-18s.
Data presented on Thursday to MKs Michal Rozin (Meretz), Meir Cohen (Yesh Atid) and Meirav Ben-Ari (Kulanu) who toured the detention center showed that out of 135 teenagers imprisoned in Ofek, 27 of them were of Ethiopian descent. When looking at just the Jewish population at the detention center (65 teens) the situation becomes even more concerning - 41.5 percent of Jewish detainees are of Ethiopian descent.
Compared to their high rates in the detention center, the size of the Ethiopian community in the Israeli population is very small and stands at only about 1.7 percent. Among the Israeli Ethiopian detainees, 11 are serving time for property offenses, seven for assault and intimidation, six for robbery, four for sexual offenses, three for battery, one for manslaughter and one for disturbing the public order.
"This is discrimination and racism, an Ethiopian teenager is arrested based on the color of his skin. They were marked before committing any offense," accused Hadar Tabaga, an activist in an organization aiding risk youth. "No one listens to them and they are not given the right to speak." According to Ziva Mekonen-Dagu, the head of the Israel Association of Ethiopian Jews, "This is not just a problem of Israeli Ethiopians, it is a problem of the entire Israeli society.
No child is born bad, these children become victims. If the welfare system took care of them, these children would not have gotten into these situations." The data, MK Rozin said, should be "a wakeup call" to the government. "The teenagers who reach this detention center are part of the most discriminated against fringe populations in Israel both in resources and in infrastructure - Ethiopians and Arabs," she said.
Rozin called on the government to increase the resources to these communities and pay more attention to the periphery.
27 may 2015
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Damas Pakada meets with Prime Minister Netanyahu
Damas Pakada is suing for some $100,000 in compensation after two police officers documented assaulting him while he was in uniform, on his way home. Damas Pakada, the IDF soldier of Ethiopian descent whose assault by police last month led to a turbulent protest by Israeli Ethiopians, has decided to sue the police for compensation. In a lawsuit filed at a Tel Aviv court on Tuesday, Pakada is demanding NIS 390,000 including legal expenses (some $100,000) in compensation from |
the police. The lawsuit, which was filed against the two police officers involved in the incident, claims that if the assault had not been documented on camera - Pakada would have likely been accused and convicted of serious charges of assaulting police.
Pakada's attorney, Eyal Abulafiya, claims this is a case of police brutality motivated by racism, "one of the more shocking cases seen recently in Israel, which was documented by security cameras by coincidence."
He went on to say that on top of police displaying serious racism, this was a display of hatred which in this case provided a rare glimpse "into a regular habit, which is wrong to the core, that happens frequently at the Israel Police, who use violence against civilians, make false accusations, and more." The suit stated that the violence resulted in damage caused to Pakada in body and spirit, and to the entire Ethiopian community in Israel.
In addition to that, the lawsuit noted, damage was caused to one of Israel's symbols - an IDF soldier in uniform. "This fact did not lead to even the slightest of hesitations before the complainant was brutally attacked by police," Abulafiya said. In his suit, Pakada asked the court to express its contempt of police brutality, particularly brutality against citizens of Ethiopian descent, and aid in putting an end to the serious racism prevalent in the Israel Police and the State of Israel.
Pakada said that if he won the suit, he would donate some of the money to Ethiopian community organizations fighting for justice and equality.
The 19-year-old soldier was beaten in Bat Yam by two police officers while on his way home from the army.
Pakada's attorney, Eyal Abulafiya, claims this is a case of police brutality motivated by racism, "one of the more shocking cases seen recently in Israel, which was documented by security cameras by coincidence."
He went on to say that on top of police displaying serious racism, this was a display of hatred which in this case provided a rare glimpse "into a regular habit, which is wrong to the core, that happens frequently at the Israel Police, who use violence against civilians, make false accusations, and more." The suit stated that the violence resulted in damage caused to Pakada in body and spirit, and to the entire Ethiopian community in Israel.
In addition to that, the lawsuit noted, damage was caused to one of Israel's symbols - an IDF soldier in uniform. "This fact did not lead to even the slightest of hesitations before the complainant was brutally attacked by police," Abulafiya said. In his suit, Pakada asked the court to express its contempt of police brutality, particularly brutality against citizens of Ethiopian descent, and aid in putting an end to the serious racism prevalent in the Israel Police and the State of Israel.
Pakada said that if he won the suit, he would donate some of the money to Ethiopian community organizations fighting for justice and equality.
The 19-year-old soldier was beaten in Bat Yam by two police officers while on his way home from the army.
18 may 2015
After previous protest in Tel Aviv led to dozens of injuries and arrests, leader will meet on Rothschild for another protest at 3p.m.
Activists in Israel's Ethiopian community, who have already taken part in several major protests against racism and police brutality, will protest again Monday afternoon, this time meeting on Tel Aviv's Rothschild Boulevard at 3p.m.
Thousands are expected to be present for the protest and organizer Yayo Avraham said that he hopes that the police will resist using violence as during the last protest in Tel Aviv when dozens were wounded and arrested in Rabin Square. "From our side we will do everything to maintain peace and order." said Avraham. He added that several of those taking part in the protest have been assigned the duty of keeping the police and protesters separate.
Police Chief Yohanon Danino addressed the impending protest in a speech Monday morning at a conference of the Israel Bar Association in Eilat saying, "We have fruitful and production conversations that are meant to bring us together and strengthen us." Danino said that a project is currently underway to meet with some of the protesters in order to move forward with the closure of criminal cases. "7,400 young men and women are in the middle of this project, 1,000 of whom are members of the Ethiopian community," said Danino. "This is a policy that we must continue."
Danino also addressed the previous protest in Tel Aviv, saying, "They have complaints, some of which are justified." Danino continued to say that the only protest in which there was no violence was the one for which protesters were granted a proper permit. "The last two got completely out of control and we were had to use force in order to maintain law and order." In contradiction to Danino, Avraham said, "The violence the last time was most from the side of the police. We hope that today they'll let us march for dozens of years of discrimination. We aren't going to let them distract us with talk."
Avi Ya'alon, another organizer of the movement added that, "Our goal is to show that we're here and our movement will continue and isn't going anywhere. We aren't waiting for committees and statements; we've had enough of them, we'll be satisfied when we see results in reality."
Activists in Israel's Ethiopian community, who have already taken part in several major protests against racism and police brutality, will protest again Monday afternoon, this time meeting on Tel Aviv's Rothschild Boulevard at 3p.m.
Thousands are expected to be present for the protest and organizer Yayo Avraham said that he hopes that the police will resist using violence as during the last protest in Tel Aviv when dozens were wounded and arrested in Rabin Square. "From our side we will do everything to maintain peace and order." said Avraham. He added that several of those taking part in the protest have been assigned the duty of keeping the police and protesters separate.
Police Chief Yohanon Danino addressed the impending protest in a speech Monday morning at a conference of the Israel Bar Association in Eilat saying, "We have fruitful and production conversations that are meant to bring us together and strengthen us." Danino said that a project is currently underway to meet with some of the protesters in order to move forward with the closure of criminal cases. "7,400 young men and women are in the middle of this project, 1,000 of whom are members of the Ethiopian community," said Danino. "This is a policy that we must continue."
Danino also addressed the previous protest in Tel Aviv, saying, "They have complaints, some of which are justified." Danino continued to say that the only protest in which there was no violence was the one for which protesters were granted a proper permit. "The last two got completely out of control and we were had to use force in order to maintain law and order." In contradiction to Danino, Avraham said, "The violence the last time was most from the side of the police. We hope that today they'll let us march for dozens of years of discrimination. We aren't going to let them distract us with talk."
Avi Ya'alon, another organizer of the movement added that, "Our goal is to show that we're here and our movement will continue and isn't going anywhere. We aren't waiting for committees and statements; we've had enough of them, we'll be satisfied when we see results in reality."
3 may 2015
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A protest in Tel Aviv Sunday against racism and police brutality initiated by Ethiopian Israelis left 68 injured and 43 arrested, according to the Israeli occupation police updates Monday.
Violence engulfed Tel Aviv's Rabin Square on Sunday night as thousands of demonstrators rallied following a march across major sectors of the city, the Jpost reported. The protesters "spun out of control," shut down the roads, turned cars upside down, raided shops, threw rocks and bottles at police, who fired stun grenades and charged the square repeatedly on horseback. |
The protest came after video footage surfaced last week, depicting two police officers assaulting an Israeli soldier of Ethiopian decent in an apparently unprovoked incident.
Sunday's protest in Tel Aviv followed a similar one in Jerusalem on Thursday
Sunday's protest in Tel Aviv followed a similar one in Jerusalem on Thursday
Mass demonstration that clogged Tel Aviv's roads devolves to violent skirmishes between police and protesters at Rabin Square; 23 officers wounded; flash grenades used to disperse protesters.
At least 46 people were wounded, including at least 23 law enforcement officers, in clashes at Tel Aviv's Rabin Square on Sunday evening.
At least 26 people were arrested. Thousands protested in Tel Aviv on Sunday against treatment of Israeli Ethiopians, days after a similar rally in Jerusalem that followed two incidents of apparent police brutality.
Demonstrators snarled traffic throughout central Tel Aviv, causing the major Ayalon Highway to be closed for three hours. The protest moved to Rabin Square, where Tel Aviv's city hall is located, in the evening.
Violent clashes broke out at the square, wounding 11 police officers and four demonstrators. Police officers used stun grenades and pepper spray in an attempt to disperse the crowd after rioters turned over a police cruiser.
Some demonstrators threw stones and bottles towards law enforcement, and some had their faces covered. The police summoned the Public Security Minister and the district commander to city hall.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Public Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovich on Sunday night and urged calm and a return to order. "There is room to examine all the claims," he said, "but there is no room for violence and such law breaking."
Earlier on Sunday, hundreds of members of the Israeli Ethiopian community protested against discrimination and police brutality in Tel Aviv, calling out "Not black, not white, we're all human beings."
Protesters marched from the the Azrieli towers to Kiryat HaMemshala (government offices), shutting down traffic on the Ayalon Highway in both directions. They blocked the Kaplan-Begin junction, while police closed other main traffic arteries in central Tel Aviv.
Clashes between police and protestors erupted near the Azrieli Center, and the Ayalon Highway was reopened after three hours.
The protesters, who were joined by social activists, were crossing their hands over their heads, to symbolize being handcuffed, and calling "a violent cop should be jailed."
Brig. Gen. Yoram Ohayon, deputy commander of the police's Tel Aviv district, accused social activists and organizations of "inciting members of the community to keep protesting after the police has already reached understandings with them."
At least 46 people were wounded, including at least 23 law enforcement officers, in clashes at Tel Aviv's Rabin Square on Sunday evening.
At least 26 people were arrested. Thousands protested in Tel Aviv on Sunday against treatment of Israeli Ethiopians, days after a similar rally in Jerusalem that followed two incidents of apparent police brutality.
Demonstrators snarled traffic throughout central Tel Aviv, causing the major Ayalon Highway to be closed for three hours. The protest moved to Rabin Square, where Tel Aviv's city hall is located, in the evening.
Violent clashes broke out at the square, wounding 11 police officers and four demonstrators. Police officers used stun grenades and pepper spray in an attempt to disperse the crowd after rioters turned over a police cruiser.
Some demonstrators threw stones and bottles towards law enforcement, and some had their faces covered. The police summoned the Public Security Minister and the district commander to city hall.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Public Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovich on Sunday night and urged calm and a return to order. "There is room to examine all the claims," he said, "but there is no room for violence and such law breaking."
Earlier on Sunday, hundreds of members of the Israeli Ethiopian community protested against discrimination and police brutality in Tel Aviv, calling out "Not black, not white, we're all human beings."
Protesters marched from the the Azrieli towers to Kiryat HaMemshala (government offices), shutting down traffic on the Ayalon Highway in both directions. They blocked the Kaplan-Begin junction, while police closed other main traffic arteries in central Tel Aviv.
Clashes between police and protestors erupted near the Azrieli Center, and the Ayalon Highway was reopened after three hours.
The protesters, who were joined by social activists, were crossing their hands over their heads, to symbolize being handcuffed, and calling "a violent cop should be jailed."
Brig. Gen. Yoram Ohayon, deputy commander of the police's Tel Aviv district, accused social activists and organizations of "inciting members of the community to keep protesting after the police has already reached understandings with them."
2 may 2015
Demonstrators against government's decision to send African asylum seekers to third country draw counter-protest, days after large protest against treatment of Ethiopian Israelis.
Around 100 activists protested on Saturday night at Tel Aviv's Habima Square against the government's decision to send African asylum seekers to a third-party country.
The rally came on the heels of a 1,000-person-strong protest in Jerusalem on Thursday against "racism and violence towards Israel's Ethiopians", following two incidents of police brutality on minority youths. The protestors clashed with police, and another demonstration has been scheduled for Sunday in Tel Aviv.
On Saturday, a counter-protest attracted about 100 residents of south Tel Aviv to the square. These supporters of the government's plan held signs bearing slogans such as "Yes to deportation, as soon as possible".
Sharon Livneh, a human rights activist who protested against the plan, said she was there to decry further deterioration in the treatment of asylum seekers.
"The Immigration Authority basically announced that it would not only continue to make their lives miserable here, but are about to deport them," she said. She said she had received information about several asylum seekers who were returned to Sudan and killed by authorities.
"People whom some of us knew, after being taken to the Holot prison in very difficult conditions, decided to leave for a third country – so they tossed them there without rights or status. We urge the new government to come to its senses, to implement international standards and to show a little compassion. We were once refugees as well. We know what it means."
Sigal Avivi, another protestor, also said she heard reports about people she knew being killed after returning to Sudan and Eritrea. She explained that the state claims there is a third country that can guarantee safety for asylum seekers, and that on Friday refugees began to be held indefinitely at Saharonim Prison.
"We agree with the residents of south Tel Aviv," she said. "But our message is simple – it's not possible to send people to countries that endanger them. Israel is acting in contradiction to the Refugee Convention."
Shefi Paz of Tel Aviv's Shapira neighborhood argued by contrast that she and her neighbors were "fighting these organizations all the time because they seek to stop any attempt by the government to find a solution to the difficult reality in which we live. We demand to get them out of our neighborhoods. That is the only acceptable solution."
Another protestor opposed to the presence of the asylum seekers said she was demonstrating "against left wing organizations that support infiltrators. We have lost our security, our peace, and the character of our neighborhoods… We're tired of it – every day rape, drugs, and alcohol. They're not refugees, they're infiltrators.
"We say 'yes' to deportation. Let them check – those who are refugees can get rights, but those who aren't should return to their countries."
Around 100 activists protested on Saturday night at Tel Aviv's Habima Square against the government's decision to send African asylum seekers to a third-party country.
The rally came on the heels of a 1,000-person-strong protest in Jerusalem on Thursday against "racism and violence towards Israel's Ethiopians", following two incidents of police brutality on minority youths. The protestors clashed with police, and another demonstration has been scheduled for Sunday in Tel Aviv.
On Saturday, a counter-protest attracted about 100 residents of south Tel Aviv to the square. These supporters of the government's plan held signs bearing slogans such as "Yes to deportation, as soon as possible".
Sharon Livneh, a human rights activist who protested against the plan, said she was there to decry further deterioration in the treatment of asylum seekers.
"The Immigration Authority basically announced that it would not only continue to make their lives miserable here, but are about to deport them," she said. She said she had received information about several asylum seekers who were returned to Sudan and killed by authorities.
"People whom some of us knew, after being taken to the Holot prison in very difficult conditions, decided to leave for a third country – so they tossed them there without rights or status. We urge the new government to come to its senses, to implement international standards and to show a little compassion. We were once refugees as well. We know what it means."
Sigal Avivi, another protestor, also said she heard reports about people she knew being killed after returning to Sudan and Eritrea. She explained that the state claims there is a third country that can guarantee safety for asylum seekers, and that on Friday refugees began to be held indefinitely at Saharonim Prison.
"We agree with the residents of south Tel Aviv," she said. "But our message is simple – it's not possible to send people to countries that endanger them. Israel is acting in contradiction to the Refugee Convention."
Shefi Paz of Tel Aviv's Shapira neighborhood argued by contrast that she and her neighbors were "fighting these organizations all the time because they seek to stop any attempt by the government to find a solution to the difficult reality in which we live. We demand to get them out of our neighborhoods. That is the only acceptable solution."
Another protestor opposed to the presence of the asylum seekers said she was demonstrating "against left wing organizations that support infiltrators. We have lost our security, our peace, and the character of our neighborhoods… We're tired of it – every day rape, drugs, and alcohol. They're not refugees, they're infiltrators.
"We say 'yes' to deportation. Let them check – those who are refugees can get rights, but those who aren't should return to their countries."
1 apr 2015
African migrants at the Holot detention center
Africans refusing to take part in 'willing departure' program will face a hearing; 'This move will encourage infiltrators to leave the borders of Israel in a safe and dignified manner,' says Interior Minister Erdan.
The Interior Ministry will start offering African migrants to "willingly" leave Israel to a third country starting this week, the ministry announced Tuesday.
Interior Minister Gilad Erdan formulated a plan to increase the "willing departures" of migrants and asylum seekers to a different country - something which has so far only been initiated by the migrants themselves. Starting this week, the Interior Ministry will take the initiative to offer the African migrants interned at the Holot detention facility in the Negev to leave to a third country destination.
The Interior Ministry's announcement noted that Minister Erdan was working to make the completion of the process of "willing departure" of African migrants from Israel to their own countries or to different countries part of the government's basic guidelines.
Israel reached an agreement with two African countries willing to take in migrants who had illegally entered Israel and cannot be returned to their country of origin. Since the beginning of 2014, some 1,500 African migrants or asylum seekers left Israel to a third country, in addition to 7,000 who were returned to their country of origin. Erdan's plan to expand "willing departures" has been approved by the Attorney General and is expected to begin in the coming days.
Erdan instructed representatives of the Border Crossings, Population and Immigration Administration at the Holot facility to locate the first group of African migrants who do not have any asylum requests pending and are eligible to leave to a third country, and offer them to take part in the aforementioned program. The migrant will receive all of the information on the process of leaving Israel, including the country he or she are going to and the process of absorption in the new country. Funding and organizing the migrants' departure - including plane tickets, hotels and an "exit grant" - will fall under Israel's responsibility. The African migrant offered to partake in the program will have 30 days to arrange his or her departure.
A migrant who is unwilling to leave will face a hearing, where it will be decided whether to move him to another detention facility as someone who fails to cooperate in his expulsion, according to article 13 of the Citizenship and Entry into Israel Law.
"This move will encourage infiltrators to leave the borders of Israel in a safe and dignified manner, and will serve as an effective tool to fulfill our duty to the citizens of Israel - and south Tel Aviv in particular - to restore the fabric of life they were accustomed to," Erdan said.
Related stories:
Africans refusing to take part in 'willing departure' program will face a hearing; 'This move will encourage infiltrators to leave the borders of Israel in a safe and dignified manner,' says Interior Minister Erdan.
The Interior Ministry will start offering African migrants to "willingly" leave Israel to a third country starting this week, the ministry announced Tuesday.
Interior Minister Gilad Erdan formulated a plan to increase the "willing departures" of migrants and asylum seekers to a different country - something which has so far only been initiated by the migrants themselves. Starting this week, the Interior Ministry will take the initiative to offer the African migrants interned at the Holot detention facility in the Negev to leave to a third country destination.
The Interior Ministry's announcement noted that Minister Erdan was working to make the completion of the process of "willing departure" of African migrants from Israel to their own countries or to different countries part of the government's basic guidelines.
Israel reached an agreement with two African countries willing to take in migrants who had illegally entered Israel and cannot be returned to their country of origin. Since the beginning of 2014, some 1,500 African migrants or asylum seekers left Israel to a third country, in addition to 7,000 who were returned to their country of origin. Erdan's plan to expand "willing departures" has been approved by the Attorney General and is expected to begin in the coming days.
Erdan instructed representatives of the Border Crossings, Population and Immigration Administration at the Holot facility to locate the first group of African migrants who do not have any asylum requests pending and are eligible to leave to a third country, and offer them to take part in the aforementioned program. The migrant will receive all of the information on the process of leaving Israel, including the country he or she are going to and the process of absorption in the new country. Funding and organizing the migrants' departure - including plane tickets, hotels and an "exit grant" - will fall under Israel's responsibility. The African migrant offered to partake in the program will have 30 days to arrange his or her departure.
A migrant who is unwilling to leave will face a hearing, where it will be decided whether to move him to another detention facility as someone who fails to cooperate in his expulsion, according to article 13 of the Citizenship and Entry into Israel Law.
"This move will encourage infiltrators to leave the borders of Israel in a safe and dignified manner, and will serve as an effective tool to fulfill our duty to the citizens of Israel - and south Tel Aviv in particular - to restore the fabric of life they were accustomed to," Erdan said.
Related stories:
5 mar 2015
Roi and his family came to Israel eight years ago, fleeing dangerous situation in Colombia; now he faces being separated from his four-year-old son, due to bureaucratic misstep.
A Colombian asylum seeker and his family were outraged after he and other relatives were arrested and scheduled to be deported from the country. Roi, 29, is fighting a looming deportation as he claims his son was born in Israel, and raised there for the past four years.
Roi, a citizen of Colombia, arrived in Israel in 2006 along with other family members. The family received protection as asylum seekers who came to Israel to escape a dangerous situation that arose as their relatives who were members of crime organizations in the country.
Two years after arriving in Israel, Roi met an Israeli woman. The two cohabited and had a son together.
According to Roi and his former girlfriend, during the birth of their son, the hospital refused to register Roi as the father because he did not have Israeli citizenship. Thus, Roi is not listed as the child's father at the Interior Ministry. The couple separated in 2012, but Roi has reportedly remained an active father. In 2013, the Interior Ministry denied Roi's request for asylum, along with the requests of his twin brother and his mother. The family reportedly did not know that they had the option to appeal the decision. Scared to return to Colombia, the family began living without legal status, under the radar of the authorities, in constant fear that they would get caught.
About a week and a half ago their fear was realized. Immigration police knocked on the door of their Ramat Gan home in the middle of the night and arrested the family members. Roi was taken to a facility at Ben-Gurion Airport and now faces deportation – his family has been unable to contact him. After his arrest, Roi's lawyer Moran Gur filed a request for a paternity test to be conducted in order to prove that he is his son's biological father, in which case it would not be legal to separate them. However, the Internal Ministry says it will not wait for the results of the test to arrive.
Roi's lawyer said: "About a week and a half ago there was a court hearing for illegal residents at the Givon prison during which I explained the circumstances of the case. "Roi has an Israeli child, and (the child's) mother also wants him to stay in the country in order not to harm the boy. The best interests of the child must be considered," said Roi's lawyer. The lawyer also said that Roi paid as maintenace for the child as required, and raised him along with his mother.
"We announced we would file a paternity suit, but due to a search for documents the request was only filed this morning. But the Administration of Border Crossings, Population and Immigration is not willing to wait for the results of the paternity test," Roi's lawyer said Wednesday.
Furthermore, Roi's lawyer claims that he and his family were illegally arrested as they were not given restraining orders. She further said that when the family was given their restraining orders, they were given a retroactive date.
"This is illegal incarceration. His only crime is that he did not take care of his documents in time. It is not a reason to separate a child from his father," his lawyer argued.
Since being transferred to Ben-Gurion Airport, all attempts to reach Roi have failed. His current girlfriend, an IDF officer who serves on the Gaza border, joined in on the fight to keep him in Israel. "Today he is entitled to arrange his status in Israel on two tracks – as a father of an Israeli child and as the partner of an IDF officer. The Interior Ministry must take this into account," Roi's lawyer argued. "The Interior Ministry ignores are applications and delays arranging his status so that they can deport him." Administration of Border Crossings, Population and Immigration said that this is the case of a mother and her two sons who came to Israel as tourists eight years ago.
"At first they stayed under temporary protection by the UN and their request was examined and dismissed in 2012 - they should have left Israel then.
"The detainee admitted that he knows he was illegally living and working (in Israel). During his entire time in Israel he did not arrange his status in any way. The fact that he wants to arrange his paternity today, after he was arrested, when he is a candidate for expulsion, raises questions of its own, since the child is four years old and it is strange that no actionto prove his paternity was taken until today."
The administration also said that a delay has been issued for Roi's deportation until a court hearing that will take place on Sunday.
"We will wait for the decision of the court before proceeding," said the administration.
A Colombian asylum seeker and his family were outraged after he and other relatives were arrested and scheduled to be deported from the country. Roi, 29, is fighting a looming deportation as he claims his son was born in Israel, and raised there for the past four years.
Roi, a citizen of Colombia, arrived in Israel in 2006 along with other family members. The family received protection as asylum seekers who came to Israel to escape a dangerous situation that arose as their relatives who were members of crime organizations in the country.
Two years after arriving in Israel, Roi met an Israeli woman. The two cohabited and had a son together.
According to Roi and his former girlfriend, during the birth of their son, the hospital refused to register Roi as the father because he did not have Israeli citizenship. Thus, Roi is not listed as the child's father at the Interior Ministry. The couple separated in 2012, but Roi has reportedly remained an active father. In 2013, the Interior Ministry denied Roi's request for asylum, along with the requests of his twin brother and his mother. The family reportedly did not know that they had the option to appeal the decision. Scared to return to Colombia, the family began living without legal status, under the radar of the authorities, in constant fear that they would get caught.
About a week and a half ago their fear was realized. Immigration police knocked on the door of their Ramat Gan home in the middle of the night and arrested the family members. Roi was taken to a facility at Ben-Gurion Airport and now faces deportation – his family has been unable to contact him. After his arrest, Roi's lawyer Moran Gur filed a request for a paternity test to be conducted in order to prove that he is his son's biological father, in which case it would not be legal to separate them. However, the Internal Ministry says it will not wait for the results of the test to arrive.
Roi's lawyer said: "About a week and a half ago there was a court hearing for illegal residents at the Givon prison during which I explained the circumstances of the case. "Roi has an Israeli child, and (the child's) mother also wants him to stay in the country in order not to harm the boy. The best interests of the child must be considered," said Roi's lawyer. The lawyer also said that Roi paid as maintenace for the child as required, and raised him along with his mother.
"We announced we would file a paternity suit, but due to a search for documents the request was only filed this morning. But the Administration of Border Crossings, Population and Immigration is not willing to wait for the results of the paternity test," Roi's lawyer said Wednesday.
Furthermore, Roi's lawyer claims that he and his family were illegally arrested as they were not given restraining orders. She further said that when the family was given their restraining orders, they were given a retroactive date.
"This is illegal incarceration. His only crime is that he did not take care of his documents in time. It is not a reason to separate a child from his father," his lawyer argued.
Since being transferred to Ben-Gurion Airport, all attempts to reach Roi have failed. His current girlfriend, an IDF officer who serves on the Gaza border, joined in on the fight to keep him in Israel. "Today he is entitled to arrange his status in Israel on two tracks – as a father of an Israeli child and as the partner of an IDF officer. The Interior Ministry must take this into account," Roi's lawyer argued. "The Interior Ministry ignores are applications and delays arranging his status so that they can deport him." Administration of Border Crossings, Population and Immigration said that this is the case of a mother and her two sons who came to Israel as tourists eight years ago.
"At first they stayed under temporary protection by the UN and their request was examined and dismissed in 2012 - they should have left Israel then.
"The detainee admitted that he knows he was illegally living and working (in Israel). During his entire time in Israel he did not arrange his status in any way. The fact that he wants to arrange his paternity today, after he was arrested, when he is a candidate for expulsion, raises questions of its own, since the child is four years old and it is strange that no actionto prove his paternity was taken until today."
The administration also said that a delay has been issued for Roi's deportation until a court hearing that will take place on Sunday.
"We will wait for the decision of the court before proceeding," said the administration.
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