Opinion
Israeli racism scares me
Danny Adino Ababa
Published: 15.02.12, 11:55
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52 Talkbacks for this article
1. Stand for political office.!
PETER SM ,   AUSTRALIA   (02.15.12)
2. One word is missing from his article
Jacob ,   Israel   (02.15.12)
Jewish. If the author and his family are Jews, then they are equal to every other Jew. If they aren't Jews, why did they immigrate to the Jewish state? If you're not a Jew, Israel is SUPPOSED to feel foreign to you.
3. Why people victimize themselves?
tejas ,   India   (02.15.12)
When you are going to give up your crybaby attitude and start doing something which will make every Israeli proud.
4. stand up for your right my ethiopian brothers
dovdevan ,   ashdod,paris   (02.15.12)
racism ashamed to the israeli society a lot more "whites" should particpate in the rallies organized by ethiopian because it is not just an ethiopian problem but a problem for all the society
5. Understand difficulties, but great admiration
Arnold Cohen ,   Tel Aviv   (02.15.12)
I understand the difficulties and challenges of intergating immigrants from ethiopia into the fabric of society. perhaps it would have been different if they had arrived in the 1950's with "everyone else"? Still some of my greatest heros are from Africa such as Carmen Hayes, Lexington Steele, and Naomi Banx just to name a few and would be proud to have Carmen or Naomi as my wife, even though i am ashkenazi from Canada.
6. It's a shame
Marc ,   Tel Aviv   (02.15.12)
I don't understand where are the parents and teachers in all this. A letter of appology? Excuse me..Is that the sugar coating to make it all better? What about education of teachers, staff, and the parents..The response of the child came from home. Don't give up on Israel as well, shaping healthy and non racist attitudes make take time (unfortunately) because human beings are innately flawed. I see people for the character (or lack) of it and judge accordingly. If we expect the world to be sympathetic to Jews and reject anti-Semitism, remember the Holocaust, and be against anti-Israel sentiment, can we as a nation have the capacity to be sensitive and be more open about rejecting racism? We really should think more closely about ourselves and situations like Danny's family and the Ethiopian community before we cry afowl when anti-Semitism rears its ugly head, maybe then as a society we will get the message.
7. Take the chip off your back and you'll do well
naro ,   jerusalem   (02.15.12)
And your kids will succeed in Israel unlike a loser like you.
8. #2 our own unique form of racism
Avramele   (02.15.12)
There are many zionists, I among them, who believe in a Jewish state with full civil and political rights for all it's citizens. But that debate is irrelevant when a four year old is bullied because of the color of his skin. Israel was not created so we can do to others as others did to us. Were we not strangers and slaves in Egypt?
9. Bored
Jonathan ,   Country   (02.15.12)
Damn,,,, are we this bored?
10. #5 why are you ocking this man the people you identified are
Ron ,   Fargo N.Dakota   (02.15.12)
I hope this man's children grow to be Doctors,Lawyers and Scientists.Why are you mocking him?
11. # 2
Mike Carmel ,   Rishon-le-Zion   (02.15.12)
Tell me then Jacob, what does a European Christian do who is married to a Jewish Israeli? Can't he/she be made to feel at home here too? Is he/she SUPPOSED to feel alienated because of his/her religion? Do you understand how ridiculous that sounds to modern democratic ears?
12. Interesting, but.....
(02.15.12)
The author is making a grave mistake by using the word "never." He will never feel at home in Israel? How on earth does he know that? Because of a comment of a 4 year old, his entire immigrant experience is on the line? I think he needs some perspective on how many Israeli immigrants felt uncomfortable in the first generation or two. Then their skin color, customs, countries of origin blended. Just like the Ethiopians' will in time. Considering how many cultures have mixed to ingather the Jews, I think Israel does remarkably well.
13. Ethiopians
Daniel ,   Yesha   (02.15.12)
We and many of our friends and relatives live on various religious or mixed (religious and non-religious) "settlements" where there are also Ethiopians along with immigrants from many countries. From what we see, the Ethiopians among us are treated equally and there are quite a few marriages between Ethiopian and non-Ethiopian young people. I think that most "settlers" (I don't like the word!) are open-minded on this subject. We and our friends and relatives would not object to our children marrying Ethiopians. What is important to us is that our kids marry Jews, the color isn't important!!
14. discrimination
Dr. Stanley Feist ,   Florida, U S A   (02.15.12)
Unfortunately most humans are insecure for a variety of reasons. We seem to need to bolster our self confidence by trying to convince ourselves that we are better than someone else. Or perhaps that there are people not as good as we. A careful, objective examination will show that no group is superior or inferior to others . Each of us is an individual with a unique appearance and ability. Not everyone will like us or how we look. That is their loss. We need to seek out those who appreciate each of us and ignore those who are not wise enough to see our virtue.
15. Dark Chocolate
Bob ,   Efrat   (02.15.12)
Without diminishing the pain experienced by your children, you need to understand that most children in the world have cruel streaks in them that must be removed by teachers parents and eventually by Psychologists. I say this because often children and often adults tease their comrades because they think it's funny, until it happens to them. This banter may be against other children of color, or with poor quality clothing, or too short too tall or just different. You just need to transmit to your kids and yourselves that being different doesn't mean inferior. Often it's a sign of superiority. Point this out to them and the confidence they will gain will eliminate their sorry. Good luck, this is your country as well as theirs, what you're going through each immigrant group has experience.
16. Are Jews "Black", "White" or "Coloured" ?
pennylane   (02.15.12)
Whoever came up with this strange notion that Jews are "White" ? Nobody
17. #2 Jacob,
Gregg ,   Haifa, IL   (02.15.12)
your comment just tells me how you didn't understand a thing of what the author said. It's because of people like you that a lot of us here don't feel at home. Israel might be a State with Jews mainly (but certainly not a Jewish State, otherwise the laws of Israel would be only Jewish laws). We all come from different background and for different reasons. Saying that Israel is aimed to Jews only is reducing the whole country to some racist place where "different people" are consider stranger. I came here because I am married to an Israeli citizen (a man). I am a secular, comming from mixte background (Christian and Jewish). I don't consider myself Jewish nor Christian since religion is not part of my life. Does it make me less of a citizen than anyone else? A second class citizen because, God forbid, I wasn't born Jewish enough? Does it matter?
18. Racism against Ethiopians
Michael V ,   Tampa, FL   (02.15.12)
I couldn't hold back the tears toward the end of this story. How sad that this is happening in Israeli society. How many "whites" in Israeli society can read this story as if their grandparents had written it when back in the old countries of Europe? As a description of the discrimination they experienced while living in Eastern Europe? This is shameful for Israeli society. I cry in sadness and shock. How can this be, from a people who know suffering first hand?
19. to #6 - It's a shame
Michael V ,   Tampa, FL   (02.15.12)
Thank you Marc, well stated. This story should be moving hearts and feet into action.
20. Black is BEAUTIFUL! G-D Made People Black!
Linda Rivera ,   New York, USA   (02.15.12)
because it PLEASED G-D to do so.To be racist or insult Blacks is to insult G-D because it is G-D who made the Black people Black! G-D's work is PERFECT! Who would dare to insult G-D by suggesting His work is not perfect? Our Majestic, Awesome G-D does not see us by our skin color. G-D looks at our character. G-D looks at our heart.
21. To Mr. Danny Ababa
Israeli 2   (02.15.12)
Do I know it all too well. During the early fifties, discrimination and prejudice was rampant throughout Israel in regards to any so called "Mizrachim" and "Sepharadim". I went through it personally. When those "Ashkenazim" discovered otherwise, we were treated differently. But what I have also later discovered was that my own family was no more prejudice and racist towards others then were those "Ashkenazim". In other words, everyone acts out his own fears due to their huge inferiority complex. Please do not despair. This too will pass. Etiopians are for the most part are a very good bunch and most normal Israelis like and welcome you as our brothers and sisters. We measure a Torah fearing person by the lack of racism in his bones. All others may shove it.
22. Excellent #15. Great talkback.
Israeli 2   (02.15.12)
23. I meant to say to #5
Rod ,   Fargo N.Dakota   (02.15.12)
Why are you mocking the writer of this article.The Blacks you mentioned are Porn stars.Ihope his children grow up to be Doctors,Scientists or lawyers.I look those people you named as famous actors hey are 2 female porn actresses and one male porno actor
24. BTW the writer is Jewish
Rod ,   Fargo N.Dakota   (02.15.12)
25. #16 - We Ashkenazi Jews just came about over time.
Henry from New York ,   USA   (02.15.12)
I think that heavy intermarriage with Sphardim, Mizrakhim and Beta Israel would do our people good though - getting rid of this silly ethnic divide for one thing. Of course, one can't influence the course of true love.
26. Danny some advise my friend
David Bannister ,   Shiloh Israel   (02.15.12)
Israel is divided into so many little groupings, that nearly everyone can feel foreign one from the other. Our family are so fortunate to have gathered relatives from the four corners of the earth, including Ethiopia, and are the better for that! We get demonized as settlers, and even hear remarks of 'shoot the settlers', the Haredim, secular, rectangular and every other Jewish dimension can also feel heat from other sections of society. My friend, and I mean that, the real problem is one of self expression. Israel has some of the most wonderful caring people living here as well as the worst. Chose your friends and let them chose you, slowly you will certainly build up an extended family here that you will be proud to be a part of, and they will also be proud to have you and your children part of as well. Those who suffer from a run away tongue have the real problems here, as it will be hard for them to comprehend what wonderful people we have living amongst us, including yourself with your deep and sincere plea for racial tolerance. They are the real losers. G-d willing your son will soon be surrounded by loving & caring children, while also learning some of life's harder lessons that not everyone's perfect. Please stand strong as Jews need each other, and a country to belong to. Be a Jew before being an Ethiopian, and try to find satisfaction with gaining friends & family over a period of time. All Israel needs to go through a learning curve about how to relate to each other, and you are certainly not alone in that! Hatzlaha & Shalom.
27. Racism
deavman ,   Acco Israel   (02.15.12)
Israelis are not racist, this is obvious if you see what happens when Ethiopian Jews get to do their military service. Kids are kids and they will always find something in their peers' appearance in order to make fun of them. Parents and educators have the duty to alleviate the bullying as much as possible. I do have an issue with young Ethiopians trying to emulate black Americans in their clothing, walk and music choices. It is utterly idiotic and even if it appears "cool" to our youth (white, black, green or whatever) it is merely an expression of ignorance, lack of culture and even failure, this had to be said.
28. You are a journalist and your wife is a nurse. That
Vardina   (02.15.12)
means that you have not been deprived of your rights. Children can be cruel. They mock a fat boy, for instance, even if he is white. They would mock an invalid boy or a boy who does not fight back when hit. The excuse with your boy happened to be his color. No need for tears. Teach your boy to hit back and answer back. Try to look at it this way. I will give you an example of my own childhood experience: when I came to Israel as a child, not knowing the language, the children at school called me "the retarded Holocaust survivor". I came from Europe and very soon had to learn how to hit back inorder to survive. You should learn too.
29. Can't believe it's so bleak
Josh ,   Brooklyn, NY   (02.15.12)
A few years ago I was at the Jerusalem bus station and a young female IDF soldier was sitting on the curb in the terminal (waiting for her bus). Her skin was as dark as can be. In my eyes she was beautiful, and I felt so very proud of this Bas Yisrael serving our country, hers and mine. On another occasion a group of soldiers were on a bus...chiloni, dati, and one Ethiopian. It happens that they were annoyingly loud. But I didn't care. Their camaraderie across religious and ethnic lines was inspiring. Once again I was proud of these handsome young people...my fellow Jews. I believe that millions of Israelis feel the same way.
30. Disappointed by this lame article !!
Don Rosenberg ,   Palatine USA   (02.15.12)
Israel has Jews from 50 + countries who had to integrate. These ungrateful Ethopians, come from a fifth world country. If they think it would be easy, they are wrong. Israel is not racist. These Blacks seems to overreact like many blacks in the USA ,and think they are special. Wrong!!! If they don't like Israel let them got back to africa and really suffer.
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