Israelis took to the streets both to support and oppose the deportation of Eritrean and Sudanese asylum seekers who illegally entered Israel.
Protests against the deportations by social-justice organizations recorded approximately 15,000 attendees this weekend. A counterprotest in favor of deportations organized by the right-wing non-governmental organization Im Tirtzu also recorded thousands of attendees.
The infiltration of migrants has become a recent flashpoint in Israel. Israel has reportedly entered into agreements with Rwanda and Uganda to accept migrants once they are deported from Israel. Those migrants who choose to be relocated will receive cash payments of $3,500. Migrants who do not agree to deportation face incarceration in Israeli prisons.
While anti-deportation protests have received increased media attention, polls indicate that most Israelis support deporting illegal infiltrators.
