South Tel Avivians discuss violence, foreigners in their midst
Some locals condemn Friday's fire bombing, while others call for deportations
South Tel Aviv residents, fed up with what they describe as an intolerable situation, met on Sunday evening at the Shapira community center to discuss the recent flare-up of violence in the neighborhood, Maariv reported.
Approximately 150 locals and MK Michael Ben Ari (National Union) debated the attacks on neighborhood residents allegedly perpetrated by Sudanese refugees and the suspected retaliatory acts against foreigners.
Some of those gathered, including Ben Ari, called for the deportation of African refugees and for measures be taken to reduce rising crime rates, while others voiced disgust at the racist acts of violence.
Many residents blame the violence on government inaction.
Earlier on Sunday, police arrested a man on suspicion of hurling Molotov cocktails into the homes of African refugees in Tel Aviv on Friday.
Police believe the multiple attacks last week may have been organized by a local underground group that hopes to intimidate the Africans and force them to leave the area.