May 25, 2012 – New York – AJC commended Israeli Prime Minister’s appeal for calm after riots against African immigrants this week in a neighborhood of south Tel Aviv.

“Israel faces a challenging domestic situation, with tens of thousands of migrants, many from Eritrea and Sudan, having made their way to Israel in recent years, with more seeking to arrive each month,” said AJC Executive Director David Harris. “That has placed a significant burden on the small country, especially in areas like south Tel Aviv, and raised major questions about its absorptive capacity.

“Nonetheless, for some Israelis to take matters into their own hands and use intimidation and violence against the migrants is totally unacceptable and to be strongly condemned. Israel, as a democratic society governed by the rule of law and Jewish values, will find appropriate answers, consistent with those principles.”

Israel has become a favored destination for African migrants, who leave their countries for a variety of reasons. Most are Christians or Muslims. They seek work and a new start. To reach the Jewish state, many travel by land across Egypt, where, according to media reports and their own accounts, they have often encountered harsh treatment, including robbery, kidnapping and the rape of women.

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