'Police did everything in their power to minimize damage'

Acting Police Commissioner Moti Cohen discussed the Ethiopian community’s protest on Wednesday evening in Tel Aviv, at the end of which dozens of demonstrators rioted and attacked police officers.

"The moral value of 'yes to protest, no to violence' was best expressed today. Thousands of members of the Ethiopian community expressed their protest in a dignified and legitimate manner, as hundreds of policewomen and policemen were deployed on the ground and in the streets to ensure public safety and public order, alongside the direction of traffic. The continuous dialogue of the Tel Aviv District Command with the leadership of the community left its mark on an organized and dignified protest," Cohen said.

"The police did everything in their power to minimize the damage to routine. Unfortunately, at the end of the demonstration a handful of young people chose the path of violence and vandalism, but their wild behavior failed to overshadow the impressive achievements of a dignified and powerful protest by an entire community. The Israel Police will continue its efforts to strengthen cooperation with members of the Ethiopian community in order to strengthen trust in the police," he added.