A so-called “Eritrean Cultural Festival” on 2nd September in Tel Aviv organised by the Embassy of Eritrea and its supporters became the scene of extreme violence. Israeli police were forced to intervene, using live ammunition on those who were protesting against the festival. More than 170 people, including 30 police officers, were injured.
Eritrean refugees and those who have been opposing the Eritrean regime in Israel had been calling for weeks for the event to be cancelled as it is a major source of income for the dictatorial regime in Eritrea, and such festivals are used to control and indoctrinate the Eritrean diaspora. When they were informed that the Eritrean embassy and the regime supporters’ festival would go ahead, through their lawyer, they informed the police that 4,000 people would protest against, and they obtained permission to go ahead.
The protestors were determined to stop the festival from taking place at any cost, and Israeli police, who were willing to allow the festival to take place as planned, failed to assess the risk of violence. When the protestors managed to cross the police barriers and head towards the festival venue, the police started using tear gas, brutally beat protestors and shot four or more of them. Due to the police’s use of excessive force, some of them started throwing stones at the police.
The Eritrean government supporters who were mobilised by the Eritrean Embassy in Israel were all gathered near to the Eritrean embassy premises. They came armed with guns, knives, bottles, metal bars and other weapons, a clear indication of their intention to resort to violence if their event is cancelled. When they were informed that the event was cancelled, they started walking towards the protestors, on their way they were physically assaulting anyone who was not from their side.
The violence between Eritrean government supporters and the protestors continued for over one hour. The police were present, but could not stop the confrontation. As a result, more than 170 people were injured, some still in critical life-threatening condition, 30 police officers were injured and some properties damaged.
The Israeli Police had ignored the warnings of Eritrean refugees and churches in Israel, from Human Rights Concern Eritrea (HRCE), and from other concerned citizens and organizations, and had allowed the festival to continue.
In the past decade, Eritrean refugees in Israel have witnessed a string of disturbing incidents that have disrupted their peace and daily lives. Eritrean regime supporters have been targeting Eritreans who oppose the regime, intimidating them, and physically attacking individuals. A large group illegally sponsored by the Eritrean Embassy, many of whom claim refugee status, are orchestrating these actions. For many years, the Eritrean Embassy in Israel has engaged in unlawful activities, intimidation and extortion against Eritrean refugees; the situation has now reached a critical stage with the violent events of 2 September.
HRCE condemns the violence in all forms, but is compelled to point out that much of the responsibility for the violence and serious injuries lies with the Israeli police. There was negligence on their part. Had they heeded the many warnings and stopped the event, as the United Kingdom police did, they could have prevented most of the violence, serious injuries, and damage, and would not have been forced to deploy such extensive resources to control the situation and restore law and order.
In addition, some of the videos posted on social media reveal that Israeli police were particularly brutal towards the protesters, including using live fire. Many serious injuries could have been avoided if the commanders had equipped their forces with crowd control devices. The Israeli police must now seriously review future permission for these so-called “Eritrean cultural events,” and their response to such events.
HRCE urge all the states and the international community to be aware of the potential for conflict at activities organized by Eritrean Embassies, and should be monitoring their staff and associated persons, to ensure that illegal intimidation of Eritrean refugees is not taking place and that events likely to provoke conflict are not permitted, or are suitably restricted as to avoid violence.
Human Rights Concern – Eritrea (HRCE)
