Photos: African migrants' month-long protest in Tel Aviv

African migrants gather in Tel Aviv's Levinsky Park after sleeping there overnight during a protest demanding asylum and work rights from the Israeli government, Monday, Feb. 3, 2014. In recent weeks, African migrants, mostly from Eritrea and Sudan, have staged a series of demonstrations demanding they be recognized as refugees — a status that would give them residency rights. For the past month, AP photographer Oded Balilty has followed these workers as they protest. Oded Balilty/AP

African migrants cover themselves with blankets for warmth as they sleep in the park during the ongoing protest, Feb. 4, 2014. Oded Balilty/AP

Israel sees many of the protesters as economic migrants and has tried a number of tactics to stop the migrants' influx or keep their numbers down. It has built a fence along the border with Egypt, passed a law that allows for the migrants' detention and offered financial incentives to urge them to leave. Oded Balilty/AP

Many migrants have found their way to the impoverished neighborhoods of south Tel Aviv — an area renamed "little Africa" by Israelis. Protesters have decided they will stay in the park day and night in protest, according to the photographer. Oded Balilty/AP

African women and children protest in front of the American Embassy in Tel Aviv, demanding asylum and work rights from the Israeli government, Jan. 15, 2014. About 60,000 African migrants have trekked through Egypt and other Muslim countries to reach Israel in recent years. Oded Balilty/AP

Migrants pray on the beach during a protest in front of the U.S. embassy demanding asylum and work rights from the Israeli government in Tel Aviv, Jan. 22, 2014. Oded Balilty/AP

About 60,000 African migrants, mostly from Sudan and Eritrea, have trekked through Egypt and other Muslim countries to reach Israel in recent years. Oded Balilty/AP

An African migrant covers his mouth with tape during the protest in front of the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv, Jan. 22, 2014. Oded Balilty/AP

Some migrants are fleeing violence or oppression in their home countries, while others are seeking better economic opportunities in Israel. Oded Balilty/AP

Israel sees many migrants of them as economic migrants and has tried a number of tactics to stop the influx and keep their numbers down. Oded Balilty/AP

Israel has built a fence along the border with Egypt, passed a law that allows for the migrants' detention and offered financial incentives to urge them to leave. The protests will continue into the foreseeable future. Oded Balilty/AP