Hundreds of Ethiopian demonstrators protest against racism in Israel
Ethiopians claim Kiryat Malachi housing committees refuse to sell them apartments; hundreds of protesters include various groups who feel weak in Israeli society.
By Revital Blumenfeld and Yanir Yagna Tags: Israel protest KnessetHundreds of demonstrators hit the streets of Kiryat Malachi on Tuesday afternoon, protesting what they call the discrimination of Ethiopian immigrants. According to Ethiopian residents of Kiryat Malachi, housing committees in the city have been refusing to sell them apartments.
The protest was not only attended by Ethiopian immigrants, but by representatives of various groups who feel weak in Israeli society.
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Protesters in Kiryat Malachi on Jan. 10, 2012. |
| Photo by: Ilan Assayag |
"The phenomenon of racism harms us all, and it is impossible to separate the discrimination of Ethiopians in Israel from the discrimination of Arab residents or Russian-speakers," said Rabia Elsagir, a resident of Shfaram and member of The Coalition Against Racism in Israel, who attended the protest with a handful of people from the Arab sector.
The Association for Civil Rights in Israel also condemned the phenomenon, requesting that the Knesset Committee for Immigration, Absorption and Diaspora Affairs dedicate a portion of a meeting scheduled for tomorrow to the matter. The association said the committee must clearly state that they do not condone racism and discrimination and that they "are taking clear and decisive steps to eradicate" the phenomena.
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Israel, a homeland for all the Jewish people! (so long as they be white) right?
Israel needs also a Martin Luther King, to achieve the same level of civil rights for its blacks.
Ethiopian immigrants are discriminated because of the colour of their skin. This is a reality an it is absolutely unacceptable. In addition, there is still quite a small number of them - less than 2% of the population, which is the election threshold needed for a seat at the Knesset. Therefore, to the contrary of Russian immigrants who had a dedicated party right after the major immigration wave of 1990, Ethiopians immigrants don't have anyone to defend their interests specifically. This should be rectified, somehow, as it might take another generation to get to the right number of people (assuming that they all vote for the same party). The Knesset needs a Special committee just for Ethiopian immigrants. That would be the closest to a positive discrimination until they get on the political map.
Israel should treat its minority like turkey treats its minority jews (freedom dignity and justice). all this racism against Ethiopians is unacceptable.