PHOTOS: Hundreds call for release of Ethiopian-Israeli held in Gaza

Hundreds gathered in Tel Aviv on Saturday to call for the release of Avera Mengistu, who has been missing in Gaza for 1,000 days. In nearby Petah Tikva, hundreds demonstrated against police brutality and threats to freedom of expression.

Photos: Oren Ziv / Activestills (Tel Aviv), Orly Noy (Petah Tikva)

Hundreds demonstrate to call for the release of Averu Mengistu, missing in Gaza for nearly three years, Tel Aviv, June 3, 2017. (Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)
Hundreds demonstrate to call for the release of Averu Mengistu, missing in Gaza for nearly three years, Tel Aviv, June 3, 2017. (Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)

Hundreds of people marched down Tel Aviv’s Rothschild Boulevard on Saturday evening in solidarity with Avera Mengistu, an Ethiopian-Israeli who entered Gaza in September 2014 and has been missing ever since. He is presumed to be in Hamas captivity.

Hundreds demonstrate to call for the release of Averu Mengistu, missing in Gaza for nearly three years, Tel Aviv, June 3, 2017. (Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)
Hundreds demonstrate to call for the release of Averu Mengistu, missing in Gaza for nearly three years, Tel Aviv, June 3, 2017. (Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)

Marking 1,000 days since his disappearance, protesters wore t-shirts bearing his image, and with the words “Where is Avera?” on them.

Hundreds demonstrate to call for the release of Averu Mengistu, missing in Gaza for nearly three years, Tel Aviv, June 3, 2017. (Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)
Hundreds demonstrate to call for the release of Averu Mengistu, missing in Gaza for nearly three years, Tel Aviv, June 3, 2017. (Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)

Since the gag order on Mengistu’s disappearance was lifted in July 2015, 11 months after he went missing, critics have publicly questioned the government’s inaction over trying to secure his release.

Hundreds demonstrate to call for the release of Averu Mengistu, missing in Gaza for nearly three years, Tel Aviv, June 3, 2017. (Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)
Hundreds demonstrate to call for the release of Averu Mengistu, missing in Gaza for nearly three years, Tel Aviv, June 3, 2017. (Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)

In nearby Petah Tikva, meanwhile, hundreds of people demonstrated on Saturday evening against police brutality and threats to freedom of expression.

Hundreds demonstrate against police violence and threats to freedom of expression, Petah Tikva, June 3, 2017. (Orly Noy)
Hundreds demonstrate against police violence and threats to freedom of expression, Petah Tikva, June 3, 2017. (Orly Noy)

Demonstrators held up signs protesting police violence and calling for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to stand trial, as well as for the Attorney General to resign.

This post is also published in Hebrew on Local Call.