5 suspected of racist attack against Ethiopians

Police believe five young men from south Tel Aviv beat two Israelis of Ethiopian descent thinking they were migrants. Officers say they have no doubt assaults were racially-motivated

Five youngsters from south Tel Aviv were arrested on suspicion they assaulted two Israelis of Ethiopian descent thinking they were migrants. Police suspect the motive for the assaults was racist.

The investigation was launched after one of the victims filed a complaint claiming he was beaten and robbed of his mobile phone.

According to police, the five men attacked the victim having noticed the color of his skin, beat him with a blunt object and fled the scene. The victim was rushed to the Edith Wolfson Medical Center in Holon.


During questioning, it was discovered that the five were also involved in assaults against another Ethiopian man as well as anEritrean migrant.

The two other victims did not require medical attention. Police sources said they have no doubt that the attacks were racially-motivated.


Four of the suspects, two teens aged 17, a 19-year-old and a 21-year-old, were arrested on Tuesday. They were remanded in custody for two days. The fifth suspect, aged 19, was arrested Wednesday.