Netanyahu sets up panel to address racism against Ethiopian-Israelis

Israel on Tuesday set up a special ministerial committee to address racism against Ethiopian-Israelis, following heated rallies staged by the community over the past weeks.

"I have asked that a ministerial committee under my leadership be formed to deal with the plight of Israeli citizens of Ethiopian descent," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his ministers.

"They deserve equal treatment, they have rights and we will see to it that they enjoy these rights like all Israeli citizens," he was quoted as saying in a statement by his office.

Ethiopian-Israelis have been rallying throughout the country, including in big cities of Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa, over discrimination and police brutality.

The protests were sparked last month by video footage of two police officers beating an Ethiopian-Israeli soldier without any apparent provocation.

On Monday, some 1,500 Ethiopian-Israelis marched on the streets of Tel Aviv in a peaceful demonstration.

Two weeks ago, dozens of protesters and policemen were injured in a rally, after police tried to disperse them using stun grenades, water cannons and tear gas, turning it into one of the most violent protests in the country's history.

Leaders of the protests demand improving the welfare, education and housing services for the Ethiopian community, as well as indicting the police officers shown to be beating the Ethiopian-Israeli soldier.

Jews from Ethiopia arrived in Israel in two waves of immigration in 1984 and 1991. The community, which comprises about 125,500 people, has struggled to integrate into Israeli society with little success.

Many of them live in impoverished areas in Israel and according to the Israel Association for Ethiopian Jews, they earn 40 percent less than the average Israeli. About 38.5 percent of them are living below the poverty line, while the overall rate stands at 14.3 percent. Endit