Yosef Salamsa

Thousands of Ethiopian Israelis and their supporters marched against police violence in Tel Aviv on Jan. 30, 2018, weeks following the fatal police shooting of Yehuda Biadga. (Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)

‘To be Ethiopian in Israel is to be constantly struggling for something’

The shooting of Yehuda Biadga reignited tensions between Israel’s Ethiopian community and police, who have long been accused of using a heavy hand against the country’s minorities. ‘Police brutality is a result of racism against black people in this country,’ Ziva Mekonen-Degu says. For the third time in as many years, thousands of Ethiopian citizens…

By Edo Konrad February 1, 2019

Demonstrators confront police during a protest against police brutality targeting Israelis of Ethiopian descent, July 3, 2016. (Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)

Israeli police have a taser problem

Out of over 180 complaints filed over taser use by police between 2014-2016, only 12 cases were actually investigated. Not a single officer was indicted. By Sapir Sluzker-Amran Yosef Salamsa was supposed to celebrate his 25th birthday last month. His tragic death, which took place several months after Israeli police tasseled him without any justification,…

By +972 Magazine January 17, 2017

Protesters hold a sit-in during a protest against police brutality targeting Israelis of Ethiopian descent, July 3, 2016. (Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)

WATCH: Why Ethiopian Israelis are taking to the streets

Hundreds of Israelis of Ethiopian descent took to the streets earlier this month to protest police brutality targeting black Israelis, but also police violence in general. One of the major symbols of the movement is an Ethiopian Israeli man named Yosef Salamsa, who’s death many in the community directly tie to the police violence and…

By Social TV July 20, 2016

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Ethiopian-Israelis protest police brutality against Ethiopians in Jerusalem, blocking Israel’s Highway 1, April 30, 2015. (Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)

A long time coming: Why Ethiopian-Israelis are protesting

Whatever hopes and faith the community had in the state have been shattered in recent years by rampant racism and police brutality. By Avi Yalou The story of the late Yosef Salamsa, like the video of Israeli police beating IDF soldier Damas Pakada — which prompted tens of thousands from the Ethiopian community in Israel…

By Haokets March 5, 2016

Ethiopian Israelis march on Ayalon highway during an Israeli Ethiopian protest against police brutality and racism, Tel Aviv, May 3, 2015. Oren Ziv / Activestills.org

Ethiopian-Israeli activists: It’s time for a militant civil rights struggle

Eight Ethiopian demonstrators arrested at Jerusalem protest against police brutality. Activists: The law does not protect us, we must stop enlisting in the army. By Michael Salisbury-Corech Hundreds of Ethiopian-Israeli activists demonstrated against police violence in front of the Israeli police Jerusalem headquarters on Tuesday. The protest came as a response to the police’s recent decision…

By +972 Magazine March 3, 2016