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Ethiopian community hit hard by discrimination
Yael Branovsky
Published: 07.12.07, 08:58
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1. They're not real Jews.
John ,   New York, New York   (12.07.07)
They're not treated equally because they're not real Jews.
2. Why?????
sandra ,   ferguson USA   (12.07.07)
They hate us in AFRICA, AMERCIAN and Israel. Maybe they should complain to God for Creating us Black.
3. Sad and disgusting
charles ,   petach tikva   (12.07.07)
Did'nt we Jews suffer enough from this evil to inflict it on our Brethren ? They have different customs and food ? They look different ? So what ? , there are so many different Jews here . What would benefit to all of us is to know them better , not to reject them .
4. How to help ?
Iossef ,   J'lem, Israel   (12.07.07)
How to help ? What kind of organisation to join if we want to fight this racism and work with ethiopians for a true integration of ethiopian jews. Give me phone numbers or any contact info. thx. P.S. I am a new immigrant. I teach math at the Hebrew U.
5. To #1.
D.C.   (12.07.07)
And after this behavior, that you written down, you're continuously asking, why the world is hating the Jews, from Europe through the U.S. to Japan. Never ask it again in your life, please.
6. Askenazocentric
Eliyahu   (12.07.07)
This is not a new problem. The secular, ashkenazi Israelis have always been notoriously racist. They sold Yemenite children. As a religous Jew, I look at the Ethipians and see the Jewish soul inside. Every connection I have with Ethiopians leaves me in awe of God's presence revealed throught the history and diversity of his people. Not only do the left -wing, secular Israelis discriminate Ethiopians and Sephardim, they HATE the religious Jews and the settlers. Is it any surprise that secular left wing Israelis tried to make peace and brought us death and war. If there will ever be any peace in this region (and I pray for it every day), it can only come from religious Jews meeting with religious Moslems, a meeting of brothers, Ishmael and Isaac. But the secular won't come to Hebron and won't let the religious Jews go there. So as long as the secular rule Israel, peace will not come.
7. More Exaggerated Language.
Terry ,   Eilat, Israel   (12.07.07)
While there is no doubt that Ethiopians experience difficulties, saying Israel is "infected with racism" is an unfair characterization. All immigrant groups experienced the same difficulties. And, immigrant groups experience some hostility in every country in the world. If you examine the experiences of immigrant groups in other countries, you would find that Israel is actually one of the most tolerent countries in the world. While every effort should be made to successfully integrate Ethiopians into Israeli society, their successful integration depends ultimately on themselves. Taking the role of "victim" is the wrong approach. The right approach is education & hard work - as their economic circumstances improve, so will their acceptance into Israeli society. And to #1 - I suggest you do some research on Ethiopian Jews, they're as Jewish as the rest of us & many are certainly more observant than most of us, myself included. And when you put on the uniform of the IDF as so many young Ethiopians do, you can tell me more about who is really a Jew.
8. No more
Chanan ,   Jerusalem   (12.07.07)
It is sad when we as a society stand back and do nothing, in a country that had and still has the promise of being an example to the world. Why is this so? Ethiopians came to Israel on a promise that they would enjoy a better life, thousands died trying to make the long journey home, they were robbed, women raped and murdered like animals. From the onset of Aliyah, Ethiopian boys struggled with equality in the IDF, yet the overwhelming majority serve in combat units, there resolve is to go forward but our society keeps on driving them backwards. As a community they strive for success, yet we class them. I am a reformed racist, having been born in South Africa, so I speak from a stand point of knowing and not one of assumption. I work with a number of Ethiopians and have had the honor of commanding several in the IDF, these are gentle, kind and honorable people, so why as a society do we drive them to the opposite side of the sphere, I can only believe that it is our failure as human beings to treat them as human beings, it is our corrupt and disrespectful society that teaches us that we are a law unto our own. The time has come for Israel to stand up and say “NO MORE”; we need to be the good example and no longer the bad. To all my Ethiopian brothers, I am with you 100% may Hashem grant us all the power to stand up.
9. I never experienced racism to ethiopians
uli ,   jerusalem   (12.07.07)
I live in Israel for some years and know many ethiopians in any kind of positions and never met any kind of racism towards them.
10. Is there anyone you like in Israel?
B.A. ,   Berlin, Germany   (12.07.07)
#1 - So one must be a „real Jew“ – whatever that might be – to be accepted and treated with respect? How ridiculous is that? I actually was a big supporter of Israel until I got in touch with Israelis in Europe and went to visit them. The people in Israel are very busy with breeding prejudgements and hate. If you don’t support everything Israel does, you are an anti-Semite. Well, by the way, Europeans and particularly Germans are anti-Semites by birth. Arabs are the incarnation of evil anyways. And the evangelical Christians in the US are retards, but in Israel’s situation, you don’t have a real choice, you have to take the support you get. Since my friend is an Ashkenazim I learned that Sephardim are a bit noisy and most of the time less educated and from a lower social class. But they are not as bad as the Ethiopians. And – not to forget – the bloody lefties, the self-hating Jews who dare to criticize Israel’s policy. However, the rightists aren’t really better. They are a bit stupid and their religiosity is annoying. The worst are the haredi Jews, who do not serve and live on the expense of the rest of the society. But above all is a feeling that unites all different people in Israel: Everybody hates us and everybody is against us. Maybe not the Americans, but definitely the rest of the world. Is there anyone you like and respect over there? I don’t think so…….
11. Black Jew in South Africa
Moses ,   JHB, South Africa   (12.07.07)
I am born as a Christian but converted to Jew recently and I have a good job is South Africa but I was thinking about doing Aliyah, but being black and suffered under apartheid that will mean another apartheid in Israel. Israel must treat Jews the same not by the colour and expel Arabs a bit by a bit until the country is pure JEW.
12. #8 - You are a good man.
Solly ,   los angeles, CA., U.   (12.07.07)
May G-d bless you as well for writing what you wrote.
13. It is time to send the Ethiopian pretendJews whose ancestors
Rivkah   (12.07.07)
never lived in ancient Israel or ancient Judea back to Ethiopia. Certainly, no more should be let in. The problem with Blacks in Israel and America is that they do not want equality. They want superiority. They want to be above the law and punishments in society and in schools. They prey on other children, rob, rape, murder, terrorize and then cry that they are being discriminated against. The worst neighbors I have ever had were Blacks. The second worst were Moslems. Many of them are terrorists and there is no other way to put it. They have an agenda against other races and are more racist than other races. A Black doctor tried to kill me by witholding critical information from me for two years from an MRI. I had moved and my new physician, a Japanese, requested the MRI results for two years before getting them. A Black physician's assistant tried to kill me. He cancelled a prescription for DMSA for mercury toxicity when I tried to get it filled at a pharmacy when the pharmacist questioned the dose. So I no longer go to Black healthcare workers. They are full of hate and accuse their victims of being prejudiced. Send the Ethiopians back to Africa. Bringing them to Israel was ANOTHER mistake of Ariel Sharon. Maybe he was getting even for the board that blamed him unfairly for Lebanon. It will get worse. Deport them and close the door to any more Ethiopians coming to Israel.
14. rasism
wube ,   ethiopia   (12.07.07)
they should accept the ethiopian as human being not because they are or they are not a real jew, now this generation will reapet what their father and forfather has suffered by neo-nazi in the past...what the ugly things they are doing on the ethiopian jew..they might pay a high price for their evil deed for the ALMIGHT OF GOD
15. To #8
Libyan Guy ,   Italy   (12.07.07)
a country that is pure is racist and Israel was, is and will be racist forever ... you were madeby god to be the beloved chosen racist people. enjoy it !!!
16. As long as an ethiopian follows torah and is jewish.....
jack bauer   (12.07.07)
he/she should be treated like any other jew. The character of the person is more important then what they look like. Most likely there are indeed many ethiopians that are not jews, and simply claimed to be such so they could immigrate for a better standard of living....and this reinforces the belief that most if not all are not real jews. But the truth is that those that are in fact jewish should not be treated poorly because of those others.... The fact is that there have been jewish bloodlines in ethiopia since the time of King Solomons son menelik. The Jewish communities there have a long history, with their own kings and armies. They even kept traditions of sacrifice because they didnt hear of the destruction of the temple. The highlands were a bastion of the jews, and nobody can actually deny the Jewish links in Abyssinia. The article is crap they love making a mountain from a molehill ynet loves to put anything online if it makes jews look bad but the point it that there is indeed poor treatment of ethiopians, and it should stop. Although nothing in the article is overtly racist. The guy not wanting to rent his place....thats the closest....but its his place and his choice....seems like a dumb excuse....but I dont trust ynet
17. another garbage article
Antonio ,   Haifa   (12.07.07)
I've never seen any racism against Ethiopian Jews. Many people just don't like the lack of culture of those who recently came to Israel and haven't adopted yet, things like lack of personal hygiene or being too loud. This got nothing to do with race.
18. idiot john
Fussion ,   Israel   (12.07.07)
Its people like you that perpetuate hatred in this world. If I were not bound by the rules of what one can say here, I would say something that really explains how I feel about bigots like yourself. If you are Jewish you should hang your head in shame. What gives you more right to exist than Ethiopian Jews ?
19. These are the seculars who preach "tolerance" to Chareidim
Joseph P. ,   Jerusalem   (12.07.07)
and "love" of all mankind. Secular hypocrites!
20. Parents: Petach Tikva 'Apartheid' Story is Meretz Plot
Joseph P. ,   Jerusalem   (12.07.07)
Parents of students at Lamerchav school in Petach Tikva claim the accusations of "apartheid" policies toward Ethiopian girls (published Dec 4/07) are lies propagated by a Meretz representative in the town's municipality. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/Flash.aspx/137753
21. #20 Joseph P. another idiot
Fussion ,   Israel   (12.07.07)
They should put you in a padded cell and throw away the key.
22. Are their blood donations still being thrown in the garbage?
Paqid 16 Yirmeyahu ,   Ra'anana, Israel   (12.07.07)
I've met a number of Ethiopian Jews in Israel; from the beginning at our Merkaz Qlitah and periodically ever since. Every community has exceptions but every Ethiopian I've met has been a very nice person. Racism against Ethiopians, however, and particularly by Ashkenazim "seculars," is no less real than their racism against Sepharadim and Teimanim, whom they call "darkies." Throwing out blood donated by Ethiopians was well documented. To blameshift it all to Ynet is irresponsible evasion. Kol ha-kavod to those who recognize its ugly reality and seriousness and are resolved to fight it. One of the best ways to fight it is with a good tongue-lashing whenever, wherever and from whomever you see it arise. For example, Becky (apparently a "Jews" for J*esus gentile Christian) is one of the most outspoken racists I've heard lately. She's a good place for those who are serious about fighting racism to start. Becky, you're certifiably insane. PS: the most popular Israeli Jewish newspaper not publishing candlelighting times on Erev Shabbat and Erev Khag in its on-line counterpart is a disservice to Jewish readers and a disgrace to Israel. Even ha-Aretz publishes candlelighting times. Paqid Yirmeyahu IIsraeli Orthodox Jew Advancing Logic as Halakhic Authority Welcoming Jews & non-Jews www.netzarim.co.il
23. We fed up with politically correctness ! not relevant
Serge ,   Paris   (12.07.07)
24. Did you hear what happened to Sammy Davis Junior
Alan ,   SA   (12.07.07)
He was getting on a bus in Tuscaloosa in the deep south back in the 50s. "Blacks to the back of the bus", the Driver screamed at Sammy Davis Jr . "But I'm Jewish" replied Sammy Davis Jr. "In that case get off!" yelled the Driver!
25. 17: Cigar Smokers Unaware of 2nd Hand Smoke In Room
Paqid 16 Yirmeyahu ,   Ra'anana, Israel   (12.07.07)
You wrote: "Many people just don't like the lack of culture of those who recently came to Israel and haven't adopted yet..." Ethiopians don't lack culture. They don't even lack Jewish culture. What they lack is European-assimilated culture or, in your case perhaps, Argentinian (or whatever) -assimilated culture. As far as personal hygiene is concerned, all of the Ethiopians I've met have bordered on meticulously clean and groomed, which is more than I can say about a lot of Ashkenazim Khareidim. All of the Ethiopians I've met have also been relatively quiet and shy. If they've changed, it's assuredly because the loud, rough, primitive Israelis have rubbed off on them. PS: the most popular Israeli Jewish newspaper not publishing candlelighting times on Erev Shabbat and Erev Khag in its on-line counterpart is a disservice to Jewish readers and a disgrace to Israel. Even ha-Aretz publishes candlelighting times. Paqid Yirmeyahu IIsraeli Orthodox Jew Advancing Logic as Halakhic Authority Welcoming Jews & non-Jews www.netzarim.co.il
26. #17 Antonio
Michael ,   Haifa   (12.07.07)
I would not presume to comment on Antonio's personal hygiene, as he does so freely with regard to Ethiopians, but his views stink to high heaven
27. Terry 7, a breath away
Libneniyyeh   (12.07.07)
from saying: Right, let's heat up those ovens. How did you live your life as a little boy? By torturing cats and dogs? Or did you grow up to become a doctor only to tell his patient diagnosed with cancer: You're fine, a few pills will do the trick. Alas...the pill that would cure your racism and abject hatred that you honeycoat with a veneer of sophistication has yet to be invented. Did you get buggered in that Arab country where you once lived? Is that where your viciousness comes from? Seek help man. Anyways, in the event my talkback is published it's unlikely to change the mentality of you and others like you. Its uncanny how it was all mentioned thousands of years ago in the Koraan: Yes, you are the chosen people, but you are also the people who have lost their way time and again. And you are also the peope who will forever fight amongst themselves. And you are also the people who will not heed, no matter how many warnings they are sent. Thank God there will be a small group of you who will be saved and who are true Jews, because a true Jew would never have this hatred.
28. racism is a positive thing
izzy d   (12.07.07)
Ok so i wrote the title to get your attention. now, i have lived in Israel all my life, and have Ethiopian friends and black Americans that have come to live in Israel. because i have been so closely fallowing American politics and history for the last 5 years, i have become more attuned to issues of race. however my fellow Israelis are not. now i have asked numerous Ethiopians and American blacks a direct question, do you feel like victims of race ??? the Ethiopians will 70 percent of the time say yes, while the American blacks will say "NEVER". these usa blacks have experienced real racism, where the racist has preconceived ideals and beliefs that place blacks on a level of humanity that is several rungs lower then where he stands. however in israel it is simply (if ever) people reacting to a person who is startlingly different then what they are used to. after all they're skin is different, they're clothes are different. however, they tell me. once an Israeli gets used to us, its as if they forget we are black. on the other hand, the Ethiopians who has never experienced real racism, notices that he is singled out on occasions, and due to liberal leftists rushing to brainwash him that he is a 'victim', starts to believe it. however, they tell me, once an Israeli gets to know us, they treat us like everybody else. conclusion, its wrong to call the attitude "racist" as the word acquired a meaning of its own since the 1960's. this gives the wrong impression of what is really happening and can cause irreversible damage to the fabric of society via hastily conceived "domestic policy's" (aka affirmative action). instead see it for what it is....an opinionated people trying to understand getting along and accepting a people that are so radically different then them, and indeed those are the thought lines along which policy's should be constructed. remember that the Ethiopians are trying to assimilate into isreali culture, and not the other way around. and btw my friend, Assaf who is a second generation Ethiopian is reading this over my shoulder and nodding his approval.
29. #21 conFusion (as mixed-up) The truth really hurts. Hah?
Joseph P. ,   Jerusalem   (12.07.07)
30. #1 John tucked up in racist USA boxes
Vicky ,   Ashkelon Israel   (12.07.07)
You are wrong. The Ethiopian Immegrants practised Judaism its ints original sense until some idiot in Eastern Europe went into a cave and came out professing that his form was right. Thats why the Chasidic are stuck in the middle ages. I have helped Ethiopians over the years to absorb, and learn english. They are the most gentle of peoples and put the rest of us to shame with your biased bigatory. Read the Torah, not what your Yeshiva broker tells you to read. Read it from cover to cover, 3 times and then you will see what real judaism is about, and it has nothing to do with who prays or dovens which way but your way. And before you ask. Yes I am a Jewess, and live by the Torah, Obey the Torah, but not some Rabbis definition of it. Ethiopians are more religeous than the Russians that you allow in without conversion.
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