Scores injured in demonstration by Eritrean asylum seekers in Israel

By Ahmed Asmar

ANKARA (AA) – Scores of Eritrean asylum seekers were injured by Israeli police fire on Saturday during a demonstration in Tel Aviv in central Israel, according to local media.

Israel’s national emergency service Magen David Adom said 160 people were injured when police tried to disperse a demonstration staged by Eritrean asylum seekers against an event organized by their embassy in Tel Aviv.

Thirty police officers were among those injured in the violence.

Israeli police said hundreds of troops have been deployed to the area to bring the situation under control, The Times of Israel newspaper reported.

Videos posted to social media showed street battles between police and protesters, as well as apparently between opposing groups of Eritrean nationals.

Eritreans make up the majority of African asylum seekers in Israel, estimated at more than 30,000, according to Israeli estimates.

Past years saw clashes between Eritrean opponents and supporters of their country’s regime in Israel.