Channels

Photo: Roee Idan
Asylum seekers, police clash after demonstration goes bad
Photo: Roee Idan

Asylum seekers, police clash after demonstration goes bad

Asylum seekers marched from 'open' detention facility to Beersheba to express support for Sudanese men arrested in Jerusalem, held in jail. Scuffles broke out between police, marchers, leading to arrests

More than 100 asylum seekers left the newly instated 'open' detention center and begun making their way to Beersheva in protest of the jailing of fellow asylum seekers as well as governmental reluctance to respond to their asylum request.

 

The 130-strong march left the Holot detention facility for Beersheba Thursday, accompanied by police cars. The march eventually deteriorated and violent clashes with the police, as well as more then a dozen arrests, were reported.

 

Related stories:

 

According to the asylum seekers, the protest was intended to demand the release of two of their compatriots who were arrested in a Jerusalem protest some two days ago. They further called from their asylum requests be reviewed individually.

 

Dozen arrested as march turns to clashes (Photo: Roee Idan)
Dozen arrested as march turns to clashes (Photo: Roee Idan)

 

Abdul, a Sudanese asylum seeker, said "we are marching for our friends, for our freedom and for our rights. We request that the Israeli government examine our request individually, and treat us as refugees, not criminals."

 

The two men whose arrest sparked Thursday's demonstration are currently being held in the Saharonim Prison, a jail built to house asylum seekers held under directives which the High Court deemed unconstitutional.

 

The demonstration's starting point – the Holot detention facility – was established as a response to the ruling and thus was built as an 'open jail,' from which asylum seekers can come and go during day time.

 

'We are marching for our brothers, our rights' (Photo: Roee Idan)
'We are marching for our brothers, our rights' (Photo: Roee Idan)

According to the Israel Prison Service, the Holot facility currently houses 278 of the 330 asylum seekers expected to spend their nights there after the 130 people who participated in the march were transferred to the Saharonim prison.

 

According to new directives, those housed in the 'open' Holot facility must check in twice a day and spend the night. Once a person fails to check in for more than 48-hours they are considered in offences and can thus be lawfully transferred to the Saharonim Prison.

 

Thursday it was revealed that contrary to original reports, some 300 people were arrested after also participating in a demonstration early this week with more than half being transferred to Saharonim – more than was initially reported.

 

The cost of the Holot facility was roughly a million shekel and in light of the court's ruling and recent events, it seems the State is adamant in its intent to deport asylum seekers who find themselves on the wrong side of the law.

 

Matan Tzuri also contributed to this report

 

 

  • Receive Ynetnews updates directly to your desktop

 

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 12.19.13, 17:44
 new comment
Warning:
This will delete your current comment