The Hotline for Refugees and Migrants is devastated by the murder of M.I., a devoted activist in the Eritrean asylum seeking community.

About six months ago, we represented M.I. after he was arrested in the wave of administrative arrests following the September riots. M.I. was arrested by the police at night, a month after the September demonstration, on his way to buy water bottles, without any evidence, and for no reason other than his confession to the police that he was indeed seeking refuge from the murderous Eritrean regime. M.I. explained to the police that all he wanted was to take care of his wife and four small children, but he spent the entire October 2023 holidays in prison. Only after 18 days of false imprisonment, we were able to release him.

Today the long and cruel arm of the Eritrean regime took his life, in the middle of Tel Aviv. We call on the police to bring the murderers to justice and put an end to the Eritrean regime’s persecution of those who fled to Israel.

The Hotline for Refugees and Migrants participates in the unbearable grief of the family.

The Hotline for Refugees and Migrants is Israel’s leading organization protecting the rights of refugees, migrant workers and victims of human trafficking. For over 20 years Hotline staff and volunteers have been visiting Israel’s immigration detention centers to monitor conditions, meet with detainees and provide paralegal intervention and legal representation. We represent some of the most vulnerable people in Israel and advocate for government policies consistent with a just, equal and democratic Israel.