Israeli activists wave ISIL-like flags in protest of immigrant detention policy

About 100 far-right activists rallied in Tel Aviv on Sunday against the High Court’s September ruling to close Holot detention centre. The court’s landmark decision struck down government legislation of incarcerating migrants who came into Israel illegally without trial. It also concluded that holding African migrants for up to a year is illegal. 

The detention centre is set to close within 90 days of the ruling. Protesters say the ruling would give rise to criminal activity, and increase tensions with the immigrant community. 

Demonstrators waved black flags with “bagatz”, an acronym of the Israel’s High Court of Justice, written in white. Several online believed the flag was meant to draw a comparison between the country’s highest legal body and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).