Plans should be drawn up to remove all African migrants from Israel after groups of Eritreans were involved in a violent clash in Tel Aviv, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says.

He also wants the migrants involved in the demonstration to be deported immediately.

His remarks came a day after rival groups of Eritreans clashed in bloody protests that left dozens of people injured.

The groups, supporters and opponents of Eritrea’s government, faced off with construction lumber, pieces of metal and rocks, smashing shop windows and police cars.

Israeli police in riot gear shot tear gas, stun grenades and live rounds while officers on horseback tried to control the protesters.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

The violence broke out near the Eritrean embassy when protesters were stopped from reaching the building ahead of a cultural event set to take place there.

The issue of migrants has long divided Israel and the latest violence has brought it back to the fore.

Adam Boulton: Netanyahu’s power grab is tearing society apart and delighting Israel’s enemies

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fitted with pacemaker – as tens of thousands march on Jerusalem

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discharged from hospital following dehydration

It comes as the country continues to be torn over Mr Netanyahu’s controversial plans to overhaul the judicial system, which some say amounts to a power grab by the prime minister.

Read more:
Tensions boil between Israel and Iran over nuclear programme
Biden and Netanyahu in icy exchange

“We want harsh measures against the rioters, including the immediate deportation of those who took part,” Mr Netanyahu said.

He requested that ministers present him with plans “for the removal of all the other illegal infiltrators,” and noted in his remarks that the Supreme Court struck down some measures meant to coerce the migrants to leave.

Under international law, Israel cannot forcibly send people back to a country where their life or liberty may be at risk.

About 25,000 African migrants live in Israel, mainly from Sudan and Eritrea, who say they fled conflict or repression.

Israel recognises very few as asylum seekers, seeing them overwhelmingly as economic migrants, and says it has no legal obligation to keep them.

Related posts:

Six days of escalating violence in Israel and Gaza – how did it happen?  Lionel Messi’s welcome package at PSG includes cryptocurrency fan tokens At least three dead and five missing as buildings collapse in Sicily gas explosion Far-right French presidential candidate convicted over migrant children comments Palestinian residents facing eviction from disputed property climb on to roof and threaten to set gas canisters on fire Distress signal detected on isolated Tonga islands that are home to 105 people Satellite images show Tonga covered in ash after volcanoc eruption Russian caviar and diamonds hit by fresh UK sanctions Man points handgun in face of Argentina’s vice president in ‘attempted assassination’ Taiwanese businessman offers $1bn to train up ‘civilian warriors’ and ‘common folk’ marksmen ‘Several explosions’ heard in Kyiv following sound of incoming missiles Doctor, 88, held captive by al Qaeda-linked militants for seven years freed