Hundreds of people have been injured and dozens arrested in Tel Aviv on Saturday as Eritrean government supporters and opponents clashed with each other and Israeli police.

Israel’s emergency services said at least 160 people in total, including 50 police officers, were injured in the violence, and some 50 people have been arrested.

As of Sunday morning, at least 40 people remain hospitalised including a policeman who is said to be in moderate condition after having a piece of a camping stove removed from his head.

Eritrea

Eritrean asylum seekers who oppose the country's regime wearing blue in Tel Aviv, September 2, 2023 (Credit: Omer Fichman/Flash90)

Pro-regime and anti-regime Eritrean asylum seekers turned violent on one another outside the East African nation's embassy in Tel Aviv after it was set to hold an official event to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the country’s ruler’s rise to power.

Opponents of the regime arrived on the scene wearing blue while supporters wore red, and Eritreans from both sides were said to have used make-shift weaponry such as rocks, pieces of metal, and at least one axe.

Eritrea

Eritrean asylum seekers who oppose the regime in Eritrea and pro-regime activists clash with Israeli police, September 2, 2023 (Credit: Omer Fichman/Flash90)

Although aware of the planned demonstration, security forces said they were “surprised” by the intensity. Despite authorities coordinating with both sides in the lead-up to the event, Yarkon District Police Chief, Haim Bublil, said the groups did not adhere to requirements set up by the police.

Security forces in riot gear were rushed into the area as officials realised the scale of the hours-long unrest, with Police Commission Kobi Shabtai taking “direct control” of the situation.

Eritrea

Pro-regime Eritrean asylum seekers wearing red, September 2, 2023 (Credit: Omer Fichman/Flash90)

Tear gas and stun grenades were shot to disperse the crowds, but some protesters broke through barricades and began hurling rocks at police.

Israeli police officers reportedly resorted to live fire in some cases where they felt their lives were in danger.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed “that order be restored” on Saturday and said a team of ministers would discuss the possibility of deporting migrants who behaved violently.

בלמנו את גל ההסתננות לישראל >>
דורש לגרש כל מסתנן שפגע בכוחותינו >> pic.twitter.com/ufZggWuTbQ

— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) September 3, 2023

A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said: “Following the severe disturbances in Tel Aviv, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided to convene a special ministerial team to examine measures to be taken against illegal infiltrators who took part in the disturbances, including steps toward deportation.”

The ministerial team is set to convene on Sunday at Netanyahu’s office in Jerusalem.

אני שולח איחולי החלמה לשוטרים שנפצעו, ומגבה את השוטרים שהותקפו באבנים ובאלות ע"י המסתננים הבלתי חוקיים בדרום ת"א ונאלצו להשתמש בירי חי כדי להגן על עצמם. לשוטרים יש את הזכות המלאה להגן על עצמם מפני המסתננים פורעי החוק.

— איתמר בן גביר (@itamarbengvir) September 2, 2023

Controversial far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, who reportedly pushed out the last Tel Aviv District police chief Amichai Eshed for being too soft toward demonstrators, tweeted his support for the police.

He said: “I send my best wishes for a speedy recovery to the policemen who were injured and support the policemen who were attacked with stones and clubs by the illegal infiltrators in South Tel Aviv, and who had to use live fire to defend themselves. Police officers have every right to protect themselves from the law-breaking infiltrators.”

Eritrea formally gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993, and Eritreans make up the majority of African asylum seekers in Israel.