Israel's Jewish Ethiopian minority rallies against racism

May 3, 2:42 PM EDT

by Nasra Ismail and Biodun Iginla, Reuters contributors and BBC News, Tel Aviv

30 minutes ago

AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov

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TEL AVIV, Israel -- Several thousand people, mostly from Israel's Jewish Ethiopian minority, protested in Tel Aviv against racism and police brutality on Sunday, shutting down a major highway and scuffling with police on horseback into the night.

Protesters clashed with police Sunday evening, throwing rocks and bottles at officers in riot gear. Police deployed officers on horseback and used stun grenades to try and control the crowds in central Tel Aviv.

Israeli media reported several arrests were made and that there were injuries among both police and protesters.

Channel 2 TV said the protesters came from all over the country.

"I am here to fight for our rights," a woman named Batel from the northern city of Nazareth Illit told the station.

"I don't want to be beaten by police," said the 21-year- old, who didn't give her last name. "My parents didn't immigrate here for nothing. I want equality."

Police chief Yohanan Danino told channel 10 TV that "the use of violence by a small minority of the many protesters does not serve their struggle."

He added, "Whoever harms police or civilians will be brought to justice."

Activists told the station they don't want violence to escalate to the level seen in Baltimore where the death of a man in police custody sparked riots.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said thousands of people took part in Sunday's protest. Protesters blocked roads in central Tel Aviv as well as a main highway leading to the city during the day.

It was the second such protest in several days and supporters say the demonstrations will continue. The first rally last week in Jerusalem turned violent.

Simmering frustrations among Israel's Ethiopian community boiled over when footage emerged of an Ethiopian Israeli in an army uniform being beaten by police last week.

Protestor's marched in Tel Aviv, with some blowing whistles or chanting "violent police officers belong in jail."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he will meet Monday with representatives of the community as well as the beaten solider.

Thousands of Ethiopian Jews live in Israel, many of them secretly airlifted into the country in 1984 and 1990, but their absorption into Israeli society has been rocky.