Israeli anti-migrant provocateur Sheffi Paz has sparked widespread outrage after posting an AI-generated video depicting herself operating a garbage truck in Tel Aviv and collecting African asylum seekers from the streets as though they were refuse.
Paz, a prominent figure in the "South Tel Aviv Liberation Front" movement, published the video on social media on August 8, accompanied by pop boy band NSYNC's hit song "Bye Bye Bye" playing in the background.
In her post, she wrote: "Sanitation Department - We're here for you!"
The video generated immediate backlash from social media users, human rights advocates, and political commentators who condemned the content as racist, inciteful, and dehumanising.
Critics drew comparisons to historical propaganda targeting minority populations, pointing out the irony of an activist from a marginalised community engaging in such rhetoric.
Backlash and defense
One social media user wrote: "This is a horrifying video by any measure... I'm fundamentally shocked by this video."
Another commenter accused Paz of being "terrible, racist, and inciting," questioning why the platform had not taken action against her account.
Responding to the criticism, Paz doubled down on her stance, denying that the video was motivated by racial prejudice.
"To the readers gathered here from around the world, this video is not about skin colour but about the infiltrators who have forced entered the local population and are lying drugged in the streets of our neighbourhoods," Paz wrote.
"The fact that they came from Eritrea and Sudan is not my fault. You are welcome to stay and follow me. Maybe you will learn something about the fight against illegal immigrants who harm the citizens of the country."
Activism history
Paz, a former supporter of the left-wing Meretz party who previously identified as an activist, has over the past decade focused her campaign on removing African asylum seekers from south Tel Aviv.
The majority of African migrants in Israel, numbering tens of thousands, arrived between 2005 and 2012 fleeing conflict, forced conscription, and political persecution.
While human rights groups view them as refugees entitled to international protection, Israeli authorities have largely classified them as economic migrants, leading to years of legal battles over deportation, detention, and residency rights.
Paz has previously faced multiple legal indictments and arrests for direct action, including vandalising government property, breaking into a preschool for migrant children, and harassing human rights lawyers.
Despite the online outcry and demands for account suspension, the video remains visible online.
