Otzma Yehudit Mourns Social Activist Sefi Paz, Citing 'Great Loss'

Born in Poland in 1952 to Holocaust survivor parents, Paz immigrated to Israel as a child. In her youth, she worked as a translator, editor, and stage director, and was active in left-wing and LGBTQ+ organizations. She later underwent a political shift from the left-wing Meretz party to the right-wing Likud party, moving to the Shapira neighborhood of southern Tel Aviv.

Starting in 2013, Paz became the prominent leader of the movement against African asylum seekers and illegal migrants in southern Tel Aviv. She founded and led the "South Tel Aviv Liberation Front" and worked with the "Otef Station Merkazit" association, organizing protests to demand the deportation of migrants and to advocate for the safety of long-term residents. Her activism led to multiple arrests, and in September 2024, she was sentenced to 45 days in prison for offenses including vandalism, property damage, and disturbing public order.