Photos of the week: Asylum seekers, LGBT activists hit the streets

Activestills By Activestills January 24, 2014 | Edit

This week: solidarity with asylum seekers, animal rights activism, denouncing against attacks on transgender people, return of Palestinian militants’ remains, tear gas in Aida Camp, military training in the Jordan Valley, Palestinian steadfastness in Khirbet Makhoul, protests against medical privatization, and weekly demonstrations against the occupation.

African asylum seekers preform during a cultural solidarity event in the Shafa Bar, Jaffa, January 19, 2014. Thirty bars, restaurants and clubs in Tel Aviv took part in cultural solidarity events in which African culture was celebrated with the African asylum seekers community in Israel. Most of the venues employ African asylum seekers in maintenance work. (photo: Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)
African asylum seekers preform during a cultural solidarity event in the Shafa Bar, Jaffa, January 19, 2014. Thirty bars, restaurants and clubs in Tel Aviv took part in cultural solidarity events in which African culture was celebrated with the African asylum seekers community in Israel. Most of the venues employ African asylum seekers in maintenance work. (photo: Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)
Israeli LGTBQ activist hold sign reads: "We are dying from fear (of others)" during a protest against hate crimes, Tel Aviv, Israel, January 16, 2014. The protest was held following an attack on a transgender sex worker two weeks ago in Tel Aviv by 11 men with pepper spray and electric shockers. After their arrest by the police it was found that all 11 are border policemen, who committed the assault off duty. Police officials called the assault a "prank" fuelled by "boredom". Local activists see it as a hate crime, one of many committed against transgender people in Israel. (photo: Keren Manor/Activestills.org)
Israeli LGTBQ activist hold sign reads: “We are dying from fear (of others)” during a protest against hate crimes, Tel Aviv, Israel, January 16, 2014. The protest was held following an attack on a transgender sex worker two weeks ago in Tel Aviv by 11 men with pepper spray and electric shockers. After their arrest by the police it was found that all 11 are border policemen, who committed the assault off duty. Police officials called the assault a “prank” fuelled by “boredom”. Local activists see it as a hate crime, one of many committed against transgender people in Israel. (photo: Keren Manor/Activestills.org)

 

<p> African Asylum seekers take part in a silent protest in front of the US embassy in Tel Aviv, against the new detention center, calling to the Israeli government to recognize their refugee rights, January 22, 2014. African Asylum seekers held twelve demonstrations in front of different embassies in Tel Aviv, as around the world activists protested in front of Israeli embassies, calling for recognition of refugee rights of Asylum seekers in Israel. (photo: Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)
African Asylum seekers take part in a silent protest in front of the U.S. embassy in Tel Aviv, against the new detention center, calling to the Israeli government to recognize their refugee rights, January 22, 2014. African Asylum seekers held twelve demonstrations in front of different embassies in Tel Aviv, as around the world activists protested in front of Israeli embassies, calling for recognition of refugee rights of Asylum seekers in Israel. (photo: Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)

 

Palestinians receive the remains of two Palestinian fighters, Fathi Amerih and Atta Samahneh, in the West Bank city of Tulkarm, January 21, 2014. Amerih was killed by the Israeli army in 2002; Samahneh was killed in 2004. Israel still holds hundreds of Palestinian bodies in an isolated cemetery in the Jordan Valley, West Bank. (photo: Ahmad Al-Bazz/Activestills.org)
Palestinians receive the remains of two Palestinian fighters, Fathi Amerih and Atta Samahneh, in the West Bank city of Tulkarm, January 21, 2014. Amerih was killed by the Israeli army in 2002; Samahneh was killed in 2004. Israel still holds hundreds of Palestinian bodies in an isolated cemetery in the Jordan Valley, West Bank. (photo: Ahmad Al-Bazz/Activestills.org)

 

Residents of Aida Refugee Camp react to tear gas fired by Israeli forces during clashes in nearby streets, Bethlehem, West Bank, January 21, 2014. (photo: Ryan Rodrick Beiler/Activestills.org)
Residents of Aida Refugee Camp react to tear gas fired by Israeli forces during clashes in nearby streets, Bethlehem, West Bank, January 21, 2014. (photo: Ryan Rodrick Beiler/Activestills.org)

 

An Israeli soldier aims his rifle during training exercises in a closed military area near the Palestinian community of Hammamat Al Maleh in the Jordan Valley, West Bank, January 22, 2014. The Israeli military regularly forces Palestinian inhabitants of such areas to evacuate their homes during military exercises. (photo: Ryan Rodrick Beiler/Activestills.org)
An Israeli soldier aims his rifle during training exercises in a closed military area near the Palestinian community of Hammamat Al Maleh in the Jordan Valley, West Bank, January 22, 2014. The Israeli military regularly forces Palestinian inhabitants of such areas to evacuate their homes during military exercises. (photo: Ryan Rodrick Beiler/Activestills.org)

 

A resident of the Jordan Valley village of Kirbet Makhoul inspects stores of feed for livestock kept in tents built since the village was demolished by the Israeli military, January 22, 2014. Khirbet Makhoul was demolished twice by the Israeli army in autumn of 2013. The army has also prevented humanitarian aid organizations from delivering tents and other forms of assistance to residents. (photo: Ryan Rodrick Beiler/Activestills.org)
A resident of the Jordan Valley village of Kirbet Makhoul inspects stores of feed for livestock kept in tents built since the village was demolished by the Israeli military, January 22, 2014. Khirbet Makhoul was demolished twice by the Israeli army in autumn of 2013. The army has also prevented humanitarian aid organizations from delivering tents and other forms of assistance to residents. (photo: Ryan Rodrick Beiler/Activestills.org)

 

African Asylum seekers take part in a silent protest in front of the African union offices in Tel Aviv, against the new detention center, calling to the Israeli government to recognize their refugee rights, January 22, 2014. African Asylum seekers held twelve demonstrations in front of different embassies in Tel Aviv, as around the world activists protested in front of Israeli embassies, calling for recognition of refugee rights of Asylum seekers in Israel. (photo: Yotam Ronen/Activestills.org)
African Asylum seekers take part in a silent protest in front of the African union offices in Tel Aviv, against the new detention center, calling to the Israeli government to recognize their refugee rights, January 22, 2014. African Asylum seekers held twelve demonstrations in front of different embassies in Tel Aviv, as around the world activists protested in front of Israeli embassies, calling for recognition of refugee rights of Asylum seekers in Israel. (photo: Yotam Ronen/Activestills.org)

 

Israeli policemen arrest Israeli animal rights activists, from the 269_Life group, who took part in a direct action inside the offices of the Animal Farming Council, Tel Aviv, January 21, 2014. The activists placed dead chickens collected from 'Nordia' hatchery and spilled red paint inside the office. Nine activists were arrested by the Israeli police. (photo: Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)
Israeli policemen arrest Israeli animal rights activists, from the 269_Life group, who took part in a direct action inside the offices of the Animal Farming Council, Tel Aviv, January 21, 2014. The activists placed dead chickens collected from ‘Nordia’ hatchery and spilled red paint inside the office. Nine activists were arrested by the Israeli police. (photo: Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)

 

Doctors and activists from the Physician for Human Rights march in front of the Ministry of Health against the ongoing privatization of public health services in Israel, Tel Aviv, on January 16, 2014. (photo: Yotam Ronen/Activestills.org)
Doctors and activists from the Physician for Human Rights march in front of the Ministry of Health against the ongoing privatization of public health services in Israel, Tel Aviv, on January 16, 2014. (photo: Yotam Ronen/Activestills.org)

 

Israeli activists and African asylum seekers jailed in Holot detention center protest outside Saharonim prison in solidarity with African asylum seekers on hunger strike, January 18, 2014. About 50 African asylum seekers have been on hunger strike for two weeks. (photo: Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)
Israeli activists and African asylum seekers jailed in Holot detention center protest outside Saharonim prison in solidarity with African asylum seekers on hunger strike, January 18, 2014. About 50 African asylum seekers have been on hunger strike for two weeks. (photo: Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)

 

A Palestinian boy slaps aside a piece of candy offered by an Israeli soldier during the weekly demonstration against the Israeli separation barrier in the West Bank village of Al Ma'sara, January 17, 2014. The separation barrier would cut off the village from its agricultural lands if it is built as planned. (photo: Ryan Rodrick Beiler/Activestills.org)
A Palestinian boy slaps aside a piece of candy offered by an Israeli soldier during the weekly demonstration against the Israeli separation barrier in the West Bank village of Al Ma’sara, January 17, 2014. The separation barrier would cut off the village from its agricultural lands if it is built as planned. (photo: Ryan Rodrick Beiler/Activestills.org)
Activestills

Activestills is a collective of Israeli, Palestinian, and international photographers, united by a conviction that photography is a vehicle for political and social change. We believe in the power of images to shape public attitudes and to raise awareness on issues that are generally absent from public discourse. We view ourselves as part of the struggle against all forms of oppression, racism, and violations of the basic right to freedom. Our images are frequently published by many leading human rights, development, and advocacy agencies, as well as by alternative and leading news media. To stay updated on our latest images, like Activestills on Facebook or visit our Flickr photostream.