israeli-racism-in-theory-and-practice

Ethiopian veterans being treated differently from other
veterans. Schools regularly discriminate against Ethiopian
children by refusing to admit them to classes or removing
them from classes at the behest of other parents. In 2007,
four students studying at an elementary school in Petah
Tikvah were completely segregated from their peers being
placed in a classroom by themselves and assigned a
teacher to teach them all their subjects. They were even
assigned different recess hours and given cab fares home
so as not to overly socialise with the other students. 28
In 1996, a newspaper report stated that an Israeli blood
bank had thrown away Ethiopian blood donations for
the past 12 years out fear that it was infected with HIV.
This led to large scale protests and violent clashes -
an eruption of the pent up feelings of frustration and
discrimination felt by the Ethiopians for a long time.
The Chief of Jerusalem District Police labelled the
demonstrators “young savages” and the Ministry of
Defense announced it would continue with its policy
as Ethiopians constituted a risk group along with
homosexuals and drug users. 29
For many Ethiopians, the Blood Affair highlighted the
difference between race and ethnicity or ethnicity and
religion and signalled a critical turning point for the
younger generation and the beginning of a struggle for
recognition in the form of “everyday resistance”.
According to the 2009 Mossawa Report, there has been
a 150% increase this year in racism directed toward
Ethiopians during football matches.
Israeli Racism in Theory and Practice
Middle East Monitor | A Report | October 2009
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