At annual Ethiopian memorial, Netanyahu vows ‘justice to be done’ after recent murders by ‘fringe youth’

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vows to “fight resolutely” against violence and racism after the recent murders of two Ethiopian-Israeli Jews, speaking at an annual state ceremony commemorating thousands of Ethiopian Jews who perished while immigrating to Israel in the 1980s.

“I stand here with you in immense sorrow over the lives cut short of two young members of the community,” Netanyahu says at Jerusalem’s Mount Herzl cemetery, naming Yamenu Binyamin Zelka and Destao Tzakul, who he says were murdered “at the hands of delinquent youths, lawbreakers devoid of morality.”

Zelka, 21, and 19-year-old Tzakul were fatally stabbed by groups of minors in separate incidents late last month.

“We were horrified by the despicable crimes committed in Petah Tikva and Beersheba. These two young men, filled with light — Binyamin and Destao — fell victim to the cruelty of contemptible fringe youth,” Netanyahu says.

“Justice must be done. At the same time, I pledge that we will continue to fight resolutely against violence, racism and discrimination of every kind,” he says.

Hundreds have gathered in protest demanding more police action after Zelka’s murder, which occurred on Independence Day and, together with other recent crimes, has raised concerns about unfettered societal violence.