Tibetans studying in Israel rally in support of independence rallies turned riots in their homeland. More than 100 lose their lives in upheavals believed the gravest in 20 years

Rona Tal

Dozens of Tibetans rallied in Tel Aviv on Saturday in support of their brethren back in the homeland, who have been clashing with Tibet's security forces over the past few days.

The protestors said a silent prayer in memory of the 100 people who were reportedly killed during the weekend riots.

Ran Natanzon, of the Israeli Friends of the Tibetan People association (Yatib), told Ynet that most of those attending the Tel Aviv rally were children of Tibetans living in exile – mainly in India – who came to Israel as part of an agriculture training program; others were Tibetans living in Israel.

Lubsan Dundup, whose parents are exiled Tibetans living in India, told Ynet that "Tibetan exiles dream of returning to their homeland, just as the Jews did when they were in exile.

"The world has to know that it's not just Tibetans that suffer at the hands of the Chinese regime, it is also countries like Myanmar, Vietnam and Mongolia.

"The world has to address the human rights problem in China," he continued. "The Tibetans are oppressed; they are devoided of basic human rights like freedoms of expression and freedom of religion. The Tibetans here today are showing their support for the demonstrators in Tibet, who risk their lives by calling for freedom and cultural independents."

Jonathan Zvi, one of the founders of Yatib, added that "The Tibetan fight around the world in unique in the sense that it is a non-violent one.

"The demonstrators in Tibet and in India don't wish to confront anyone, but to convey their message in peaceful ways… they're doing the exact same thing as those rallying in Tel Aviv – they gather, pray and chant."

Tibetan exiles living in India's Daramsala reported that some 100 people were killed over the weekend, in protest rallies turned riots for Tibet's independence. China maintained that only 10 protestors were killed in the riots.

The riots are believed the largest of their kind in the past two decades.