Hundreds of Israelis of Ethiopian descent staged a protest against police brutality in central Tel Aviv on Sunday.

Protesters were carrying signs reading "Violent cops should be jailed" and "Racist policy." Some signs mentioned the name of Yosef Salamsa, a youth who committed suicide several months after he being reportedly abused by police officers.

Open gallery view Ethiopian Israelis protest in Tel Aviv, July 3, 2016. Credit: Ofer Vaaknin

Several protesters were arrested after attempting to block the Ayalon Highway. According to the police, 17 were arrested for "disrupting public order."

A little over a year ago Ethiopian Israeli staged several mass demonstrations across the country, the largest of which, in Tel Aviv's Rabin Square, ended with 46 wounded, including some 20 police officers. The protests were sparked by a video that showed officers beating an Ethiopian Israeli soldier.