Thousands of Israelis, encompassing almost the entire political spectrum, marched in Tel Aviv Friday to mark International Human Rights day. A similar march, including hundreds of participants, took place in the northern city of Haifa. Demonstration organisers, the Association of Civil Rights in Israel, said this year's march had an added relevance following a wave of socio-economic protests which swept Israel over the summer.
In Tel Aviv, the marchers were joined by about 300 African refugees, some of whom carried signs saying, "Refugees are not criminals," or "I did not choose to be a refugee." A group of settlers from the West Bank also participated, carrying signs proclaiming, "settlers are people too."