Title: Ministers Propose Forcible Relocation of African Migrants in South Tel Aviv
Subtitle: Proposal to move migrants to North Tel Aviv sparks controversy amid intense rioting
Date: [Date]
In the wake of violent clashes between Eritrean groups in south Tel Aviv, Justice Minister Yariv Levin and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir suggested on Sunday that African migrants living in the area should be forcibly relocated to the more affluent neighborhoods in the north of the city. The proposal was made during a special ministerial committee meeting, which also approved widespread arrests of suspects and granted police the power to use an administrative procedure that facilitates detention without extensive evidence.
The suggestion to move African migrants to the north of Tel Aviv was met with mixed reactions. Minister Ben Gvir stated, “Let’s move them to north Tel Aviv,” while also questioning the possibility of passing legislation to limit their place of residence. Minister Levin responded by proposing the passage of such a law and even mentioning deportation as a potential solution. He insinuated that judges would adopt a tougher stance if the migrants lived in their own neighborhoods.
State Prosecutor Amit Aisman, present at the meeting, cautioned that even if deportation were possible, there would be no country willing to accept the migrants. Furthermore, Aisman argued that if there were criminal proceedings against the migrants, they would not want them either.
This proposal by Minister Ben Gvir is reminiscent of a 2011 incident where he took Sudanese refugees to a swimming pool in north Tel Aviv, attempting to expose what he believed to be the hypocrisy of center-left voters living in those neighborhoods.
Earlier on Sunday, Ben Gvir faced a hostile reception from residents in south Tel Aviv, who accused him of failing to fulfill his campaign promises to restore order. The Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, called for the ministerial meeting after clashes on Saturday left at least 170 people injured, including police officers. The clashes were between supporters and opponents of the Eritrean government.
Netanyahu argued that the migration from African countries posed a threat to Israel’s Jewish and democratic character. The Israeli right tends to reject claims of asylum-seeking from African migrants, often referring to them as “infiltrators.” Netanyahu lamented the fact that various government proposals to incentivize migrants to leave had been blocked by the High Court of Justice.
As the meeting concluded, Netanyahu called for strong actions against the rioters, including immediate deportation for those involved. The ministers also discussed canceling work permits for migrants and exploring the possibility of advancing a new quasi-constitutional Basic Law on immigration.
It is worth noting that Netanyahu alluded to a 2018 plan, which he initially engineered in cooperation with the United Nations and several European nations, to resettle at least half of the African migrants seeking asylum in Israel abroad. However, the plan was later canceled due to criticism from the right.
The issue of African migrants has long drawn contention in Israel. Successive governments have treated asylum-seekers with hostility, and their uncertain future in the country is compounded by the state’s efforts to make their lives difficult or deport them outright.
The controversy surrounding the relocation proposal highlights the ongoing debate over the government’s judicial overhaul, with supporters citing this issue as an example of court overreach, while opponents argue it demonstrates the court’s role in protecting human rights.
Approximately 30,000 migrants, mostly from Sudan and Eritrea, are estimated to be in Israel, with many claiming to be refugees fleeing war and oppression. Most migrants arrived in Israel between 2007 and 2012 before the construction of a barrier along the desert border. Since then, very few migrants have entered the country.
Saturday’s riots erupted during a demonstration against an official Eritrean government event, marking the 30th anniversary of President Isaias Afwerki’s rise to power. The clashes between opponents and supporters quickly escalated and lasted for several hours.