On this day, 2 March 1971, the Israeli Black Panthers, a left-wing group made up of children of North African and Middle Eastern migrants, held an illegal protest in front of Jerusalem’s city hall. 2-300 people attended protesting against discrimination against Sephardi and Mizrahi Jews and calling for the release of activists who had been arrested pre-emptively for planning the demonstration. The action attracted media attention and a significant number of supporters.
The Israeli Panthers also emulated the US Panther organisation’s survival programs, and attempted to help provide for the basic needs of poor Mizrahi Jews by engaging in activities like the expropriation of milk from delivery trucks in wealthy neighbourhoods.
According to BlackPast, due to the US Panthers’ support for Palestinians, the Israeli prime minister Golda Meier “feared the IBPP would form an alliance with Palestinians. Consequently, she appointed a commission to study “Youth in Distress” and found $22.9 million to fund services for Mizrahi.” https://www.facebook.com/workingclasshistory/photos/a.296224173896073/1932738943577913/?type=3