Discrimination rears its head again: Ynet has learned that a kindergarten in the Rashbi religious primary school in Lod opened a separate class for students of Ethiopian origin this year.
On the first day of school, the parents of about 20 Ethiopian children ages three-four were shocked to find that the kindergarten their children attended was limited to Ethiopians. In the other two kindergartens at the school—part of Shas' Hamayan religious educational network—there are only native Israeli children.
When parents sought to clarify the matter with the kindergarten's director, the response was that the school also separated boys and girls due to its religious nature; thus, separation on ethnic grounds was “natural.”
“This is a racist, offensive conduct,” said the mother of one child at the kindergarten. “It is time to stop treating us as is we're lepers. They mistreated us in Ethiopia because we're Jews, and in Israel they mistreat us because of the color of our skin.”
Amir Radeh, the officer for Ethiopian educational affairs, said, “The children should be integrated. They should not be different from others and should not be placed in ghettos. We strongly object to a kindergarten for Ethiopians only. The administration is exploiting the strike in Lod's educational system and the fact that there is no one to turn to.”
Many parents withdrew their children from the kindergarten in protest.
“Many parents moved their children to another kindergarten to protest their behavior with us,” said Radeh.
Dov Barhano, one of the parents who removed his daughter from the kindergarten, told Ynet, “This is simply disgusting racism. My daughter has an Israeli friend with whom she studied in the kindergarten last year. Now she has been harmed because they cannot study together. Why is this happening? Am I not Israeli? What's the difference between this and that? Is it color? I am greatly chagrined that I was forced to remove my daughter from the kindergarten for this reason. I wanted to prepare her to attend first grade at this school. When I asked why my daughter couldn't study in a mixed class, they said it was because Israeli parents didn't want us in their kindergarten.”
City of Lod : we will consider the issue after the break
“We condemn any form of ethnic or communal discrimination,” the Ministry of Education commented. “Given the seriousness of the claims, Livne Abramovitch, the director of private education, will investigate. If the claim is substantiated, the school will be asked to dissolve the classes and integrate those students who were isolated into the rest of the student body.”
The Lod municipality commented, “This is a private educational facility. The matter will be considered as soon as the city returns to work after the Sukkoth holidays. The city of Lod will comply with Ministry of Educations instructions in this regard.”
MK Reshef Chayne, head of the Shinui parliamentary bloc, called on Minister of Education Limor Livnat not to certify any kindergarten directors who segregate Ethiopian children or any other educational institution that discriminates on ethnic grounds. “I consider the racism exercised by the Hamayan institution against Ethiopians to be extremely serious,” he said. “It is extremely ironic that a movement that is constantly claiming racism against its partisans would itself behave in a racist manner.” As of press time, the director of the Rashbi school, Rabbi Nissim Barich, had no comment.
Reader responses to the article
Why the surprise? There is the same racism by the ultra-orthodox in Bnei Brak against the Sephardic ultra-orthodox, and here the Sephardic ultra-orthodox are practicing sick racism against Ethiopians. All of this 60 years after our people were burned in the crematoriums of Europe . Things have really changed. “Independent education” is a catastrophe for the state—Avi Ecuador .
Shas members contradict themselves. Shas members, who have become pros at claiming “racism and discrimination” are the new racists. Instead of classical racism against Sephardim disappearing, we now have a new racism perfected by the oppressed themselves in Israeli society: the hateful partisans of Shas. The only lesson learned by those Shas people calling for equality and freedom from discrimination against the Sephardim—which to some extent was inevitable in a state that chose modernity at all costs to meet the security challenge—is that now they, too, can be racist against the Ethiopians! (New immigrants from the former Soviet Union are too smart, and they despise Shas.) This reminds me of the play by Uri Zohar and Arik Einstein on new immigrants! No other country in the world would allow this racist educational system within its borders, and it certainly would not help fund it. But everything is possible in the dark Sodom known as Israel !—Chen.
Shame on this racist state—Elimer.
We always knew that the worst racism comes from the ultra-orthodox. Of course, they don't call it racism. Discrimination based on color and origin is something natural to them—Menashe, Yeroham.
Before the enraged responses: As a Sephardic Jew, I'm ashamed that a racist party like Shas exists, and I'm embarrassed to be considered a supporter of Shas just because I'm Sephardic. Shas: you are a disgrace to the human race. You are the furthest thing from a real religious party—Mizrahi, Tel Aviv.
As usual, racism from the ultra-orthodox extreme right. This is normal. They hate everyone who isn't like them in color or desire. They hate blacks, secularists, leftists, women, homosexuals, Arabs, Ethiopians, and the newly devout and their children. The question is, what's left? All that's left is for them to hate the Lord—Anihu.
This is Jewish apartheid—Uri Lotan.
Lod: separate kindergarten for Ethiopian children
Welcome to Israeli apartheid. What a disgrace that they allow themselves to act like this! Whoever thought of this filthy idea should be taken to court!—Shimon.
Good morning to all: we're just spare parts. Where is the youth rebellion? A racist state that eats its people, and destroys its culture and its roots. This is the truth—A.A.
Those who were victims of racism are now racists. You wanted to be like the Ashkenazi ultra-orthodox who refused to accept you in their religious schools on the grounds that you were “blacks,” and now you're worse than them. I have one word for Ethiopians: separate yourselves from them—Avshalom, Tel Aviv.
Judaism is racist
As a religion, Judaism is racist, arrogant, and convinced that Jews are the elite—Salt of the earth, Tel Aviv |