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| Eritrean migrants in South Tel Aviv photo: Nicky Kelvin |
Some 500 Eritrean migrants demonstrated in front of the US embassy in Tel Aviv to protest what they say is the political persecution they are experiencing in Israel.
They are demanding that the US establish a mechanism to determine eligibility for refugee status, Ynet reported.
The protesters carried signs that read “We want protection,” “No to deportation” and “US, save us.” They say that Israel wants to send them back to Eritrea where an oppressive regime rules the country.
Israel has been grappling with how to best handle the estimated tens of thousands of African migrants who have made their way illegally into the country in recent years.
Earlier this week, 150 South Sudanese migrants were deported.
In a message on Thursday to migrant workers from Ivory Coast, Israel’s Interior Minister Eli Yishai reportedly said, “You have two weeks to leave. Whoever does so will be eligible for a subsidy. Whoever does not will be thrown out.”