Eleven Eritrean citizens were wounded and one was killed during a bloody fight in Netanya on Saturday night. Police officers fired shots into the air to disperse the violence, according to Israeli media.
The person killed was a 30-year-old in critical condition and was later pronounced dead after being evacuated to a nearby hospital, and another eleven were injured, with nine in moderate condition, one in serious condition, and another in critical condition.
This comes less than a day after another 11 Eritreans were injured in a brawl in Tel Aviv on Friday night, after which 15 foreign citizens were arrested.
Police arrested four suspects and are investigating the circumstances which led to the fight. They arrested another 10 Eritreans on Hagana Street in Tel Aviv who had assault weapons on Saturday and were planning to attack other Eritreans in the area, according to a police spokesperson.
Israeli officials' statements
Israel Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai held an assessment meeting in light of the violent incidences between foreign nationals in Tel Aviv and Netanya.
"We will act hard against those who disrupt order and against anyone who was involved in these criminal incidences," the commissioner said. "The law allows us to start the procedure of issuing custody orders, and together with the Population Authority, we will act with all the tools that the law permits us to utilize.
"At the same time, I've instructed proactive activity against the perpetrators of recent crimes to prevent those who plan to continue such criminal activity and disorderly conduct. We are obliged to provide security and safety to the public and that is how we will act."
"I've instructed proactive activity against the perpetrators of recent crimes to prevent those who plan to continue such criminal activity and disorderly conduct. We are obliged to provide security and safety to the public and that is how we will act."
Kobi Shabtai
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stated that the "rampage of illegal infiltrators in our cities is extremely serious."
He also stated that "they must be deported from the country, but if the High Court doesn't allow that - then at the very least, let the rioters sit in prison."
Natanya Mayor Miriam Feirberg responded to the incident in the city, stating: "I fully support the Netanya policemen! They acted to protect the residents of the city. The unusual incident of violence that took place this evening crossed all red lines. Most of the rioters came from outside Netanya to inflame the riot that started back in Tel Aviv.
"We will eradicate the violence of the infiltrators with an iron hand. I call on the government to recalculate the course regarding those foreign workers who allow themselves to go wild and resort to violence. I've also instructed the municipal units to increase their forces to provide assistance, and the municipality of Netanya will act to assist business owners in the area so that they can return to full activity as soon as possible."