The Israeli dislike for emigrants has nothing to do with the arrival of Eastern Europeans, or any other category. Most Israelis are as cliquey as any other conservative group.
I was a new emigrant in 1965. After 9 years of waiting for a visa in Romania and serious persecution by the communist regime, I arrived to the country I dreamt about for years.
After a few months in the country I went to study in the Technion, with no money, little Hebrew and no English. For the first year no Sabra talked to me at all. Every time they walked past me they avoided me like one avoids a piece of furniture which is in one`s way.
I spent 6 years there. I probably talked to three Sabras in the first 4 years. In the fifth year I developed some superficial relationship with two. In Romania I was a Jew, in Israel I was a Romanian. After seven years I left the country.
The people on the street were very friendly, but I found friendly people on the streets of many countries. |
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