The Vandalism
Photo: Itay Blumenthal
Population and Immigration Authority vandalized over planned mass deportation
The entrance to the offices of the Population and Immigration Authority in Tel Aviv is vandalized with mud, paint, severed doll heads; perpetrators left threatening messages against upcoming mass expulsion of illegal immigrants.
The entrance to the refugee unit of the Population and Immigration Authority in Tel Aviv was vandalized on Saturday, with mud and red paint splattered on the ground, door and walls and several severed doll heads strewn across the floor.
This came in the wake of a series of demonstrations and petitions against the planned deportation of asylum seekers from Sudan and Eritrea to Rwanda.
Notes scattered at the entrance to the building read: "Their blood is on your hands," and "It will not pass in quietly, it's only the beginning."
(Photo: Itay Blumenthal)
The vandalism occurred when the offices were closed. The police opened an investigation into the incident.
"We view with great severity damage to government ministries and symbols of government, and preference will be given to this investigation," the police said in a statement.
(Photo: Motti Kimchi)
The Population and Immigration Authority called the incident "a despicable act against government employees doing their work, which has nothing to do with a legitimate struggle or an accepted protest," adding they will not let this "act of insanity" go unanswered.
"Today a red line was crossed, and here is where this ends. A complaint was filed with the police and the cowards will be caught," the authority concluded.
Interior Minister Aryeh Deri said this act of intimidation will not stand, and called on the authority's employees to continue doing their job with "the full backing" of Israel's government.
(Photo: Itay Blumenthal)
Earlier this month, Israel notified thousands of Africans who entered the country illegally that they have three months to leave or face incarceration.
Following the announcement, the Population and Immigration Authority called on migrants from Sudan and Eritrea to leave "to their country or to a third country," meaning Rwanda or Uganda. Those who leave by the end of March will be given $3,500, along with airfare and other incentives.
The ultimatum is part of a large-scale campaign to remove 42,000 illegal African migrants from Israel, which has come under fire in recent weeks by left-wing officials, right groups and even Holocaust survivors for being antithetical to Judaism and the history of the Jewish people.
