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Last update - 01:36 23/11/2008 Ethiopian immigrants: Why place us so far from job possibilities? By Vered Lee Tags: ethiopian immigrants  The scenery outside the Jewish Agency absorption center near Kibbutz Beit Alfa in the Jezreel Valley is breathtakingly beautiful. But this is of no consolation to the 750 immigrants from Ethiopia who reside there: They complain that meager stipends and the distance from industrial centers have brought them to penury. Earlier this month, 120 people from the center set up a permanent protest vigil opposite the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem to complain that life in the center, situated five kilometers from the kibbutz, offers no employment opportunities. Tsainish Adamams, a mother of nine, resides in the center with her husband and all her children. They live in a three-room apartment where the children sleep on bunk beds. "I support the demonstrators," she said. Advertisement For eleven months, the Adamams were eligible for a monthly stipend from the Absorption Ministry. After that, they went to the Social Affairs Ministry to obtain welfare while the ministry attempted to help them find work. Together, husband and wife receive NIS 1,770 a month, of which approximately NIS 650 goes for rent, electricity and water. That leaves them NIS 1,120 per month, which according to Tsainish Adamams is not enough to feed everyone. "All we are asking for is work and a good education for our children," she said. "But we can't afford to feed them properly. They go to school on an empty stomach. And you can't expect them to study properly when they're hungry." Andulam Bazeh, also 38, complains of hunger as well. "There are seven of us living in a two-room apartment," he said, "but that's not the problem. That won't break us. It's the hunger." Bazeh has been living at the center with his family for the past 17 months. Like his neighbors, he, too, complains that he is isolated from the rest of his family in Israel. The immigrants explain that any money they obtain goes toward buying food. They cannot afford bus fare as well. A Jewish Agency representative who joined Haaretz's crew at the Beit Alfa absorption center wrote down all the complaints voiced by residents. "Every person living at the Beit Alfa center has asked to be transferred to a more central locale," said Avi Mespin, spokesman for the Israeli Association for Ethiopian Jews. "The Jewish Agency has done great things for Ethiopian Jews. I find it difficult to understand why it housed these 750 immigrants in a godforsaken place that offers no employment." The Jewish Agency and the Absorption Ministry replied that they formed a joint committee to review the immigrants' claims, and its conclusions will be submitted today. They added that the immigrants are entitled to "comprehensive" financial assistance. Related articles: Finding Hama No coordination or sensitivity in dealing with Ethiopian immigrants Interior Ministry to close down Ethiopian aliyah operation Bookmark to del.icio.us   Spy chain Iran: We smashed espionage network linked to Israel. Poultry dilemma Will U.S. Jews have kosher Turkey this Thanksgiving?   1.   Yes, house them right in the center of Tel Aviv 02:03  |  Genuine Tosefta 23/11/08   2.   Feeding one`s children 03:46  |  Elmer Lammi 23/11/08   3.   immigrants 04:14  |  colin 23/11/08   4.   The Ethiopeans are the wrong colour 06:02  |  L A 23/11/08   5.   Black Jews do not fit the Ashkenazim dream 06:38  |  Mark Lincoln 23/11/08   6.   mark Lincoln 07:31  |  danite 23/11/08   7.   To LA 10:02  |  Mike 23/11/08   8.   Placed far from job possibilities . 10:46  |  HAL 23/11/08   9.   Sira 11:19  |  Habasha 23/11/08   10.   #6 Danite 12:31  |  Dav 23/11/08   11.   Like all those other un-Ashkenazi Jews . . . 12:59  |  Zev Davis 23/11/08   12.   Which jobs do they qualify for? 13:38  |  nina 23/11/08   13.   Charade is the name of the place and game 17:31  |  call bluff 23/11/08   14.   #12 Nina - An excellent idea ! Moshav or Kibbutz 17:33  |  Linda Rivera 23/11/08   15.   Nina - a traditional solution 19:33  |  Mark Lincoln 23/11/08   16.   deportation from the main cities 20:11  |  jacob 23/11/08   17.   Ethopians 06:36  |  Gary Albert 25/11/08

Read & React Yossi Sarid: Is Shas' Rabbi Ovadia Yosef also an ass? Responses: 62 Aide: Ex-IDF chief did not call for Ahmadinejad to be killed Responses: 186 IDF: Retaking Gaza will cost Israel NIS 17 million a day Responses: 145 Report: Gaza militants agree to cease rocket fire if Israel opens crossings Responses: 104 Poll: 70% of Israeli Arab women think slaps are not domestic abuse Responses: 71 More Headlines 03:18 Olmert: History will owe Bush for setting Mideast on path to peace 02:18 Documents obtained by Haaretz reveal split among Hamas leaders 01:10 Report: Israel willing to release more prisoners for Shalit 01:09 ANALYSIS / Elections are Gilad Shalit's greatest hope 02:01 Attacks on Israel expected as UN marks Solidarity with Palestinian People Day 02:44 Shas to seek payout for Jews deported from Arab countries 02:35 Now you can get the Koran on your cellphone 00:40 Reported cases of domestic abuse among immigrants in Israel at its lowest 03:31 New figures show crisis spreading into economy at large 03:44 600 jobs waiting today for English speakers at Tuesday's Jerusalem job fair 03:50 Group of academics to accuse Scandinavian countries of Anti-Semitism 04:08 Pilots: Air safety downgrade will seriously impact Israel's aviation industry 04:16 Tax authority refuses to help fighting organized crime due to workers' demands 23:40 Palestinian meet in Syria highlights refugees' right of return Previous Editions Select Day 24 nov 23 nov 21 nov 20 nov 19 nov 18 nov 17 nov 16 nov 14 nov 13 nov 12 nov 11 nov

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