Ministerial committee decides to crack down on Eritreans after riots

A special ministerial committee convened in the wake of intense rioting between Eritrean groups on Tel Aviv’s streets a day earlier has okayed widespread arrests, allowing police to use an administrative procedure that lowers the evidentiary bar for arrests.

Some 50 Eritrean nationals are being held following yesterday’s street fighting, with police minister Itamar Ben Gvir pushing for more “administrative” arrests, the Ynet news site reports.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is chairing the meeting, says the government is “seeking strong steps against rioters, including immediate deportation of those who took part.”

The administrative arrest mechanism is part of a law passed by a previous government that had been meant to deal with African migrants crossing into the country for asylum or work, but never implemented, according to Ynet.

The committee also decides to look into revoking work permits from anyone in the country illegally.

“What happened yesterday crossed a red line. It was hooliganism, bloodshed, a rampage we cannot accept,” Netanyahu is quoted saying.