Knesset Chairman Yuli Edelstein speaks during the opening session of the Knesset’s summer session about the violent protest that took place Sunday night in Tel Aviv.
“Yesterday was a sad chapter in the history of Israeli society,” says Edelstein. “The heart aches as we see the struggle of our brothers who come from Ethiopia, which started as a legitimate protest and spiraled sadly to a violent riot. I call on all sides to calm the spirits and lower the flames.”
Edelstein says claims of discrimination and violence should be checked thoroughly. “The government and Israel Police acted correctly in beginning trust-building measures for this end. Freedom of expression must be allowed generously; but once it turns to incitement, violence and anarchism – this should not only be not tolerated, but dealt with harshly,” Edelstein says.
“Let us be careful not to be dragged to a civil war, since I’m afraid we’re already teetering on its brink. The State of Israel is an impressive feat of immigrant absorption, we must guard it vigorously,” Edelstein says.
Speaker of the Knesset, Yoel Yuli Edelstein, in his office at the Knesset on April 15, 2015. (Photo credit: Hadas Parush/Flash90)
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