Dozens of Arab Israelis, members of the Islamic movement, have been protesting since Wednesday afternoon in front of the Egyptian embassy in Tel Aviv against what they referred to as the massacre of Egyptian Muslims by the army.
Egypt's army swept in to clear two sprawling encampments of supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi in Cairo on Wednesday, leaving at least 149 dead nationwide. In Tel Aviv, police have not allowed protesters near Egypt's embassy, prompting protesters to stand a few hundred meters away.
Related stories:
- Arab-Israelis: 'We'll give our lives for Morsi'
- Egypt's VP quits after at least 149 killed
- Egypt imposes state of emergency
Protesters are crying out "Sisi go home," "Egyptian blood is not cheap," and "Sisi is against democracy."
Knesset Member Ibrahim Tzartzur (Ra'am-Ta'al) told Ynet: "Our message is simple; we are here to condemn the army's attacks and the Egyptian coup in general. We are protesting against the bloodshed of those who protested quietly.
"We urge the democratic world to stand behind the Egyptian people in their struggle to reinstate Egyptian democracy and take down the army's dictatorship."
Farij Sawafat, Deputy to the head of the Islamic movement in Israel said: "We are here because of what is happening in Egypt. There is bloodshed over there; thousands of people are dead and thousands were injured among those whose only wish is to bring back the president they've elected."
In July, more than 2,000 people affiliated with the Israeli branch of the Islamic Movement held a pro-Morsi demonstration in the Arab town of Kafr Kanna.
The protesters were led by the movement's leader Raed Salah. They held pictures of ousted Egyptian president Morsi and blocked the town's main road.
"Morsi is head of state, we oppose the army, we oppose the revolution," Arab-Israelis chanted in a rare show of support for Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood. Protesters also shouted that they would be willing to give their life for Morsi.
- Receive Ynetnews updates
directly to your desktop