The Ethiopian National Project hosted on Wednesday the Jewish Agency's Board of Trustees, ahead of the project's five year anniversary. Among the guests were Ethiopian community leaders, dozens of student as well as the Prime Minister andother senior officials.
Netanyahu addressed the racial discrimination many community members suffer, and said "Israel is obligated to uproot the phenomenon of ethnic discrimination. I will not tolerate or hear of such things. It opposed our values. The government of Israel will act to promote the Ethiopian community and eradicate discrimination."
The prime minister noted the government approved on Monday "a budget proposal of NIS 490 million (about $127 million) to improve absorption of Ethiopian immigrants, education, employment, housing and welfare.
"Two months ago we allocated 13 Kessim positions, in addition to the 44 existing positions, so that the community can receive proper religious services. We will continue to absorb this aliyah; it is the duty of the State of Israel," he said.
Education Minister Gideon Sa'ar agreed with the prime minister and added, "We cannot bury our heads in the sand while the Ethiopian immigrant community suffers from racist discrimination. We have to battle against this sort of behavior, both overt and covert."
Sa'ar addressed the segregation affair inthe Emmanuel school and the dismissive reaction to High Court rulings in the matter. "No man or groups of people stand above the law," he said.
Roni Sofer contributed to this report