In Israel, racism and hate are not only based on Jews - Palestinians' political conflict but also when comes to conflicts within the Jewish community in general.
Mizrahi Jews, who come from Arab and Muslim countries, have faced discrimination and second-class status in Israeli society. The commemoration of "Jewish Refugee Day" recognizes their expulsion from Muslim countries but has also been criticized as a way for the Israeli government to counterbalance the claims of Palestinian refugees.
The roots of this discrimination can be traced back to the founding of the state of Israel, where Jews of Ashkenazi origin viewed Mizrahi Jews as backward and primitive. The attitudes expressed by Israeli leaders during the early years of the state reveal deep-seated prejudices. Racist sentiments and policies led to the ghettoization, cultural theft, and alleged kidnapping of Yemenite babies.
In 2015, the release of a racist commercial targeting Mizrahi Jews in Israel sparked controversy and outrage. The commercial promotes an upscale housing development called "Karmei Gat." It depicts a religious Ashkenazi family lighting Hanukkah candles when Mizrahi neighbors disrupt them, portrayed as vulgar and ignorant. The commercial's message implies that by moving to Karmei Gat, individuals can avoid living among Mizrahi Jews and be part of a community of "real, white Jews."
The video was produced by a real estate company called "Be'emuna," which specializes in building housing for the religious public. Although the video was quickly taken down, its impact remains, mainly because it was released on the same day that Israel commemorated the expulsion of Jews from Arab and Muslim lands.
However, Mizrahi's history in Israel is not solely one of victimhood. Mizrahi immigrants have organized uprisings against poor conditions in refugee absorption camps and Israeli cities. The Israeli Black Panthers, a group of young Moroccans in Jerusalem during the 1970s, led mass protests challenging the Ashkenazi establishment.
Today, Mizrahi's cultural and political activism is flourishing, aiming to expose past abuses and combat racism in Israeli society. Non-Mizrahi individuals are encouraged to listen to Mizrahi stories, acknowledge the tragedy, and challenge stereotypes about Israelis being racist Europeans. The wounds caused by historical discrimination and racism must be addressed for healing.
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