Israel's deportation of African refugees protested in London

Demonstration held outside the Rwandan Embassy in the capital, mirroring opposition from across the Jewish state

A demonstration was held on Wednesday outside the Rwandan Embassy in London against the deportation of tens of thousands of Africans seeking refuge in Israel.

The scenes mirrored similar demonstrations taking place in Israel and other major city around the world, and a letter addressed to the Rwandan President was delivered to the Embassy urging him to resist Israeli pressure to accept deportees.

A spokesman for the Rwandan High Commission in London denied there was a secret deal with Israel, saying: “Rwanda’s policy vis-a-vis Africans in need of a home, temporary or permanent, within the country’s means, remains open door.”

Hundreds of rabbis and cantors in the UK and USA have signed letters urging Israel not to deport asylum seekers to African states in recent weeks.

Earlier this week Israel began serving 20,000 deportation notices to African refugees from Eritrea and Sudan, starting with men without children. They have been told they could be imprisoned indefinitely if they do not leave.

: Demonstrators gather outside the Rwandan Embassy in London against Israel’s contoversial deportation of African asylum seekers Credit: Yakir Zur

: Demonstrators gather outside the Rwandan Embassy in London against Israel’s contoversial deportation of African asylum seekers Credit: Yakir Zur

: Demonstrators gather outside the Rwandan Embassy in London against Israel’s contoversial deportation of African asylum seekers Credit: Yakir Zur

: Demonstrators gather outside the Rwandan Embassy in London against Israel’s contoversial deportation of African asylum seekers Credit: Yakir Zur