Recent activities from Israeli group Anarchists Against the Wall have contributed to the recent resignation of hardline anti-immigration unit chief Tziki Sela, as protests grow against the treatment of immigrants in the country.

Sela headed up the Interior Ministry’s ‘Oz’ unit, which arrests and deports illegal immigrants. His decision is a victory for Israeli media, anarchists and other left-wing groups, which have been fighting the unit since it stated its crack down on illegal immigration to Israel and increase deportations.

Sela was severely damaged by a backlash following a disastrous interview with the Ma’ariv daily newspaper in which he condemned his detractors as “anarchists who want the destruction of the State of Israel, with three exclamation marks”.

Libertarian groups are hoping to follow up the victory with a campaign to save 1,200 migrants, including hundreds of children, from planned deportation next summer.