There was much anger among members of Israel’s Ethiopian community on Monday following the release of the policeman who shot and killed 19-year-old Solomon Tekka from house arrest. The policeman, whose identity may not be released, was sent to house arrest following the shooting as the Justice Ministry’s Police Investigations Unit (PIU) probes the shooting death of the unarmed teen by the off-duty policeman.
A small protest took place on Jerusalem’s Yaffo Street, leading to the arrest of seven persons. Community leaders lament the decision to release the policeman from house arrest, stating it signals the unfair and discriminatory treatment that has become the life of the Ethiopian community in Israel. Police fear the release of the police officer from house arrest may spark renewed nationwide violent protests as seen a number of weeks ago.
Attorney Yair Nedashi, who represents the police officer, explains the family has been threatened and they cannot return to their home due to the ongoing level of credible threats against them following the fatal shooting.
(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
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One Response
The officer’s name can’t be released but meanwhile, everyone who wants to seems to know where he lives. How does that work? And I can’t see any Ethiopian protesters at this demo, just a bunch of young people with nothing better to do. Enough already.