The Plight of the Ethiopian Jews: An Exploration of Their Social, Economic, and Political Well-being in the Jewish Homeland Kalyse Houston, History Major Research Advisor: Marco Robinson, Ph.D. Department of Social Work, Behavioral, and Political Sciences Results
Abstract The plight and story of the Ethiopian Jews, for the most part, has escaped major coverage by global news outlets and has received minimum analysis from scholars. Their migration from Ethiopia to Israel during the late 1900s initiated the first stages of their being assimilated into mainstream “white” Jewish society. This process, thirty years in the making, has in many ways stratified “Black Jews” to the lower rung of Jewish society, limited their political participation, and relegated them to few opportunities for economic advancement. This research project explores and analyzes newspaper coverage, research center, and government reports to ascertain the well-being of this marginalized group. Further, this project explores different Israeli governmental policies which have been implemented that have had a profound impact on the Black Jews, namely police brutality. Introduction Ethiopian Jews are experiencing social and economic inequalities since their exodus from Ethiopia. Ethiopian Jews came to Israel to experience the promise of reuniting in the Jewish homeland and connecting with the larger Jewish community. However, their sojourn in Israel has been shaped by racial exclusion and discriminatory policies. For the most part, Ethiopian Jews are seen as social outcasts in Israel. As it relates to different factions of the group, the Beta Israel were forced to convert to Christianity during the 19th and 20th centuries. They are now known as the “Falash Mura”. As a result, there are sentiments within the larger Jewish community that their claim to Judaism is not credible. This belief is often used as justification for their mistreatment. The deplorable conditions which they experience include police brutality, lack of economic opportunity, and social exclusion.
Figure 1: Protester stands in front of a policeman during a protest after the death of 18-year old Solomon Tekah of Ethiopian descent. He was shot by police, in Tel Aviv, Israel on July 2, 2019. COPYRIGHT: TRT World
Materials and Methods The methodology employed for this project included secondary analysis of newspaper coverage, governmental reports, and policies. Additionally, archival materials were examined on the history of Ethiopian Jews and the circumstances around how they came to reside in Israel. The exploration of these documents brought light to the injustices that Ethiopian Jews face in Israel and their efforts to protest for social justice.
The secondary analysis of the newspaper coverage and governmental policies related to the Ethiopian Jews residing in Israel revealed that there are systematic social and economic inequalities that the group faces due to discriminatory policies implemented by the Israeli government. Police brutality surfaced as one of the prime issues which is impacting the quality of life for the group as witnessed through the incidents surrounding the death of Solomon Tekah. Additionally, Ethiopian Jews experience a lower quality of life because of their limited access to schooling, the lack of availability of good-paying jobs, and no political participation. Conclusion The social, economic, and political plights of Ethiopian Jews in Israel are best viewed as a humanitarian crises. Black Jews are being deprived of their basic human rights and access to equal opportunity. Current protests illustrate Ethiopian Jews’ desire for fair treatment and social justice. Immediate changes in governmental policies are needed to positively impact the economic and educational situations which Black Jews presently endure. Moreover, reforms need to be implemented related to police brutality in order to alleviate the state of fear which Ethiopian Jews experience on a daily basis.
Selected Works Cited Walle Engedayehu, Ph.D., Marco Robinson, Ph.D, “The State of Ethiopian Jews in Israel: Seamless Integration or Subtle Exclusion?”, Journal of International Politics, 2019, 1(4), pp. 21-39. Zaken, Danny. “Why Not All Israelis Are Happy over Ethiopian Immigrants.” Al, February 13, 2020. https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2020/02/israel-ethiopia-jews-falash-mura-judaismchristianity.html. Deutsche Welle. “Ethiopian Jews: Hoping to Leave for Israel: DW: 06.11.2019.” DW.COM. Accessed February 25, 2020. https://www.dw.com/en/ethiopian-jews-hoping-to-leave-for-israel/a-51120806.
Figure 2: Protesters unite against police brutality and racism after the death of Solomon Tekah. COPYRIGHT: Vosizneias
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POSTERS AND REPORTS
“Ethiopian Jews Suffer Racism in Israel.” Anadolu Ajansı. Accessed February 25, 2020. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/ethiopian-jews-suffer-racism-in-israel/1526782. Antonelli, and Judith. “Ethiopian Jews in Israel.” Cultural Survival, March 1, 1985. https://www.culturalsurvival.org/publications/cultural-survival-quarterly/ethiopian-jews-israel.
Acknowledgements R&I’s Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR and Undergraduate Medical Academy, Prairie View A&M University.
