Ethiopian Israeli activist on why he is backing Benny Gantz

Tovya Yalo is an Israeli of Ethiopian descent, and is campaigning for the Blue and White party in Bat Yam, on the Mediterranean coast.

His community has witnessed huge protests this year in response to discrimination and police brutality.

“We in the community are boiling inside,” he tells MEE. “What angers me the most is that Netanyahu hasn’t said anything about it, and that’s why I’m with Blue and White.”

Yalo says older Israeli-Ethiopians find it hard to vote anything other than Likud, and he’s been criticised by his parents

“But Blue and White has two Ethiopian candidates and I believe they can make change.”