Refugee Homes, Kindergarten Torched In Arson Attack In Tel Aviv

[Purveyor]

South Tel Aviv’s African community was hit by five Molotov cocktails last night, as Israelis wrapped up their Yom Haatzmaut (Independence Day) celebrations. Four of the Molotov cocktails were thrown into apartments that are home to Africans; one was lobbed into a kindergarten.

No injuries were reported. Police are investigating the incidents that activists call a “coordinated” attack.

The African community in Israel has been the target of numerous acts of violence in the past. In January of 2011, for example, a burning tire was thrown into the apartment five Sudanese refugees shared in Ashdod. The men suffered from smoke inhalation and two were hospitalized.

Also in January of 2011, three teenage girls – the Israeli-born, Hebrew-speaking daughters of African migrant workers – were beaten by a group of Jewish teenagers. The attackers, one of whom was armed with a knife, allegedly called them “dirty niggers.” One of the girls needed medical treatment for her injuries.

MORE...

http://972mag.com/molotov-cocktails-take-aim-at-refugee-community/43719/

[leveymg]

1. No religion or nation has a monopoly on fascism and racism, and none is immune.

And, all are capable of inclusiveness and tolerance. Judge people by the choice they make, not by their religion.

[Purveyor]

2. Also see: Community Shaken After Night Of Arson Attacks On African Refugees

“Somebody is trying to get rid of these damn Sudanese,” said an Israeli resident of Shapira neighborhood in south Tel Aviv this morning. The term “Sudanese” is commonly used by Israelis to describe all African asylum seekers. The house adjacent to the house of this Israeli was hit at around 1:30 a.m. by three Molotov cocktails: two were thrown through the window, and one into the entry hall. No one was hurt, as residents and neighbors quickly awoke and extinguished the fire. Another fire bomb was thrown into a neighboring yard, where five asylum seekers sleep outdoors. Furniture was badly burned, but none of the residents were hurt. All of the cases are probably linked, as Mya has noted.

“Whoever did this is right, but he’s doing it the wrong way,” says the neighbor. “This fire almost burned my car, and also – there is a small girl in that house. He should have waited until nobody was home, and then blown the place up to send them a message”.

MORE...

http://972mag.com/community-shaken-after-coordinated-attacks-on-african-refugees/43727/

[Scurrilous]

3. TA man suspected of torching migrant homes

Police say evidence links Shapira neighborhood resident to recent firebomb attack on homes of African refugees

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4221800,00.html

<snip>

"Police arrested a 20-year-old resident of Tel Aviv on suspicion of throwing Molotov cocktails at the homes of asylum-seeking migrants in the city's Shapira neighborhood, Ynet reported Sunday.

Firebombs were hurled overnight Friday at four homes in which African migrants reside and towards another apartment which also serves as a kindergarten. No injuries were reported, but the structures were damaged.

Investigators have gathered forensic evidence that allegedly links the suspect to the crime. Police are still trying to determine whether the suspect had any accomplices.

Following the incident, some 200 social activists held a rally in the Shapira neighborhood on Friday in support of the migrants. "It was just a matter of time," said Orit Marom of the Aid Organization for Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Israel. "The incitement against asylum-seekers is terrible. Israelis spit at them on the street."

[oberliner]

4. Good news - thanks for posting

Glad to hear that the police have arrested someone in this case.

[Scurrilous]

5. African residents in south Tel Aviv targeted by second firebomb attack in two weeks

Two firebombs hurled at a house in Hatikva neighborhood, less than two weeks after similar attack on homes of asylum seekers.

<snip>

"Two firebombs were hurled on Saturday night at a house in south Tel Aviv. No injuries were reported, but police are investigating whether the incident is connected to a similar attack a week and a half ago that targeted African residents."

<snip>

"Tension between the long-standing Israeli residents of south Tel Aviv and the foreign refugees, asylum seekers and labor migrants now living alongside them, is not new. According to the Interior Ministry's population registry, in 2011 more than 17,000 unauthorized foreign nationals - mostly from Sudan and Eritrea - sneaked into Israel through the border with Egypt. After their identities are checked at Ketziot Detention Center, most are bused to the Tel Aviv Central Bus Station area, in the south of the city.

City officials estimate that around 40,000 labor migrants and more than 20,000 asylum seekers live in south Tel Aviv. Most live in the disadvantaged Shapira, Hatikva, Neve Sha'anan and Kiryat Shalom neighborhoods, as well as the area surrounding the bus station."

http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/african-residents-in-south-tel-aviv-targeted-by-second-firebomb-attack-in-two-weeks-1.428469

[oberliner]

6. Glad there were no injuries

Good to see the police cracking down on this sort of thing.