PHOTOS: Protesters compare High Court to ISIS at anti-refugee rally

Activestills By Activestills October 6, 2014 | Edit

Far-right protest against High Court decision to close Holot detention center greeted by flower-bearing asylum seekers.

Around 100 people, including far-right activists and residents of south Tel Aviv, protested Sunday night against asylum seekers and against the High Court decision to close the Holot detention center within 90 days.

Residents of south Tel Aviv and right-wing activists protest against the Israeli High Court decision to cancel the "infiltrator law" and close the Holot detention center, South Tel Aviv, October 5, 2014. (Activestills)
Residents of south Tel Aviv and right-wing activists protest against the Israeli High Court decision to cancel the “infiltrator law” and close the Holot detention center, South Tel Aviv, October 5, 2014. (Activestills)

Some protesters, among them former extremist Knesset member Michael Ben-Ari and radical anti-miscegenation group Lehava’s chairman Benzi Gupstein, waved black flags that said “High Court” on them, drawing the comparison between Israel’s highest legal body and the Islamic State, or ISIS.

Former MK Michael Ben-Ari speaks during a protest against the Israeli High Court decision to cancel the "infiltrator law" and to close the Holot detention center, South Tel Aviv, October 5, 2014. (Activestills)
Former MK Michael Ben-Ari speaks during a protest against the Israeli High Court decision to cancel the “infiltrator law” and to close the Holot detention center, South Tel Aviv, October 5, 2014. (Activestills)

Protestors marched to Levinsky Park, where several refugees awaited them with flowers in hand. They said they understand the problems facing the residents of south Tel Aviv, but that they did not choose to live there, but were put on buses headed for Tel Aviv’s Central Bus Station after being released from Saharonim (the prison where asylum seekers were placed before Holot was built).

African asylum seekers hold flowers as residents of south Tel Aviv and right-wing activists protest against the Israeli High Court decision to cancel the "infiltrator law" and close the Holot detention center, South Tel Aviv, October 5, 2014. (Activestills)
African asylum seekers hold flowers as residents of south Tel Aviv and right-wing activists protest against the Israeli High Court decision to cancel the “infiltrator law” and close the Holot detention center, South Tel Aviv, October 5, 2014. (Activestills)

Police presence largely prevented confrontations between the protesters and the asylum seekers, however at one point, some protesters tried to attack a store owner – who turned out to be an Ethiopian Jew.

An Ethiopian Jew is held back by policemen after protests tried to attack him as residents of south Tel Aviv and right-wing activists protest against the Israeli High Court decision to cancel the "infiltrator law" and close the Holot detention center, in South Tel Aviv, October 5, 2014. (Activestills)
An Ethiopian Jew is held back by policemen after protesters tried to attack him, as residents of south Tel Aviv and right-wing activists protest against the Israeli High Court decision to cancel the “infiltrator law” and close the Holot detention center, in South Tel Aviv, October 5, 2014. (Activestills)

 

Israeli right-wing activist Itamar Ben Gvir shouts at asylum seekers as residents of south Tel Aviv protest the Israeli High Court decision to cancel the "infiltrator law" and close the Holot detention center, in South Tel Aviv, October 5, 2014.(Activestills)
Israeli right-wing activist Itamar Ben Gvir shouts at asylum seekers as residents of south Tel Aviv protest the Israeli High Court decision to cancel the “infiltrator law” and close the Holot detention center, in South Tel Aviv, October 5, 2014. (Activestills)

A few days ago, a small protest calling on the government to find a solution to the crisis in south Tel Aviv was was organized by residents who insisted on distinguishing themselves from the far-right, specifying their struggle is not against the asylum seekers, but rather the municipality and the government.

Related:
Israel’s High Court orders closure of ‘Holot’ refugee detention facility
‘A new page in human history’: Darfuri refugee on landmark court ruling
A slightly ‘less crazy’ Israel

Activestills

Activestills is a collective of Israeli, Palestinian, and international photographers, united by a conviction that photography is a vehicle for political and social change. We believe in the power of images to shape public attitudes and to raise awareness on issues that are generally absent from public discourse. We view ourselves as part of the struggle against all forms of oppression, racism, and violations of the basic right to freedom. Our images are frequently published by many leading human rights, development, and advocacy agencies, as well as by alternative and leading news media. To stay updated on our latest images, like Activestills on Facebook or visit our Flickr photostream.