Prominent Right-Wing Activist Sefi Paz Dies at 74
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
Sefi Paz, a prominent right-wing activist who led protests against asylum seekers in southern Tel Aviv for over a decade, has died at 74 after a battle with cancer. She was a central figure in the South Tel Aviv residents' movement, advocating for policy changes and facing arrests and legal challenges. Paz, who had a political shift from left to right, was mourned by activist groups who pledged to continue her work. Her death concludes a significant chapter in the ongoing national debate on immigration.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Right-wing activist Sefi Paz, a leading voice against immigration in southern Tel Aviv, died at 74.
- Paz spearheaded the "Front for the Liberation of South Tel Aviv" movement starting in 2013.
- She faced arrests and a 45-day prison sentence in September 2024 for various offenses.
- Paz transitioned politically from the left-wing Meretz party to the right-wing Likud party.
- Activist groups vowed to continue her fight for South Tel Aviv and against illegal immigration.
Sefi Paz, a prominent right-wing activist known for her decade-long public campaign against asylum seekers and illegal immigration in southern Tel Aviv, has passed away at the age of 74 after battling cancer. Paz became a leading figure in the struggle of residents in the city's southern neighborhoods, often associated with protests and public confrontations.
Paz, the daughter of Holocaust survivors who immigrated to Israel from Poland as a child, first gained public prominence in 2013. She was a key leader of the South Tel Aviv residents' protest movement, heading "The Front for the Liberation of South Tel Aviv." This group actively opposed the presence of asylum seekers and migrants in older neighborhoods like Shapira, Neve Shaan, and Hatikva, focusing on residents' concerns about the impact of immigration on their living environment.
She became a central figure demanding a change in national policy on immigration, engaging in demonstrations, protests, and street actions. Her activism, while controversial, made her a significant voice in discussions about the future of southern Tel Aviv and Israel's immigration policies. Paz faced personal repercussions for her activism, including arrests and jail time. She continued her activities despite legal proceedings, including a 45-day prison sentence in September 2024 for offenses such as trespassing, vandalism, and endangering public safety, stemming from incidents including graffiti and harassment.
Paz's public journey also included a political shift. She was previously active in the left-wing Meretz party before moving to the right and joining the Likud party. This political evolution aligned with her prominent role in the anti-immigration movement and the South Tel Aviv residents' protests.
Organizations like "Central Bus Station Environs" mourned Paz, describing her as a brave leader and the voice of "invisible residents." They highlighted her determination and resilience, noting she was undeterred by persecution, arrests, or imprisonment. The association vowed to continue her fight for South Tel Aviv and against illegal immigration in her spirit. Paz's death marks the end of a significant chapter for a figure who was central to the South Tel Aviv protest movement, transforming a local struggle into a national debate on immigration, asylum policy, and government responsibility.
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