Police in Israel on Thursday said 17 people were arrested in rioting during a protest over the influx of African migrants in Tel Aviv, dpa reported.
Some 1,000 residents took to the streets in south Tel Aviv for an initially peaceful gathering to protest what they say is a flooding of the area by foreigners, whom they accuse of pushing up the crime rate.
The protesters held up signs saying, "We are refugees in our neighbourhood."
The demonstration turned violent, with protesters attacking a 28-year-old Ivorian man, attacking police and damaging property.
Police spokesman Mickey Rosenfeld told dpa that four minors were among the 17 people arrested.
Tensions have been on the rise in the area that is home to a growing number of people from countries such as Eritrea and Sudan, many of whom have no residence or work permits.
Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai condemned the violence and demanded the government define a clear policy to deal with the illegal immigrants, who he said should either be deported or given work permits if allowed to stay.
Huldai told Israel Radio that 40,000 to 60,000 of Tel Aviv's 400,000 residents are illegal immigrants and that the number was rising.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the construction of a fence on the border with Egypt, a point of illegal entry for migrants from Africa in particular.