Comments on: Danny Ayalon’s cynical abuse of Mizrahi refugees

By: omri

omri — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 19:21:52 +0000

“I would think that Jews of Arab origin would be outraged that their dispossession”

Have you thought of speaking to one directly? Just a thought. There are millions of them. So no need to be in such a subjunctive mood.

By: justin

justin — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 16:18:42 +0000

for fairness sake, i should probably also say that the knesset did mandate compensation to those mizrahi families subjected to ringworm treatment. i don’t know if it was ever payed out, but the law was passed i think in the early 90s.

By: justin

justin — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 13:10:29 +0000

I actually agree with you, Eric (a little bit). I think KFJ’s (pretty valid) point is that the government only seems to be willing to confront their own injustices vis a vis Mizrahi olim when it serves their political interests; but the government has yet to acknowledge the systematic inequalities and the abhorrent treatment of Mirzahi olim in the name of “public health,” which has itself caused a public health situation for Mizrahi olim of a certain age. (for the unaware, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ringworm_affair)

By: Eric

Eric — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 01:59:05 +0000

Why would Mizrachim be “outraged” that their narrative is finally being openly acknowledged and discussed by the Israeli government? To the contrary, I’d think they’d be thrilled.

If you admit that the “true-to-life injustice” they’ve suffered has previously been “shunted aside” by Israeli politicians, why wouldn’t they be appreciative that Israeli officialdom is now acknowledging their historical pain and granting their narrative the weight it deserves?

By: Kung Fu Jew 18

Kung Fu Jew 18 — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 12:42:20 +0000

I do tip my hat to you, KFJ, for having the courage (insanity) to move to Tel Aviv at a time when there might be a war in Tel Aviv.

War in Tel Aviv? People seem pretty oblivious to the world here.

Which leads me to think this post really isn’t concerned with Mizrahi narratives, but is more interested in using Mizrahi Jews in exactly the way it claims to criticize.

Touche!

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 06:18:03 +0000

“I would think that Jews of Arab origin would be outraged that their dispossession is again raised only as a talking point against Palestinian refugees.”

I would think, and honestly and seriously here, that someone who would consider writing this sentence OUGHT to try to front a Mizrahi perspective rather than trying to speak for Mizrahi Jews. From what I’ve seen, no, Mizrahi Jews don’t think that. Which leads me to think this post really isn’t concerned with Mizrahi narratives, but is more interested in using Mizrahi Jews in exactly the way it claims to criticize.

By: Jonathan1

Jonathan1 — Sat, 01 Sep 2012 19:05:14 +0000

What exactly are you advocating for, KFJ?

Nor has anyone put a number on the table for the number Israel can absorb reasonably.

What everybody is advocating for is a policy that will lead to Israel turning into the final destination point for every person who wants to leave Africa.

That’s just not fair.

In any case, I do tip my hat to you, KFJ, for having the courage (insanity) to move to Tel Aviv at a time when there might be a war in Tel Aviv.

By: Kung Fu Jew 18

Kung Fu Jew 18 — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 21:29:40 +0000

Nehemia Strassler is tilting at straw men, since nobody among the human rights community is advocating permanent citizenship for refugees. Nor has anyone put a number on the table for the number Israel can absorb reasonably. But since Israel cannot actually deport them — not to Sudan or Eritrea, where life is unsafe — then at least let them work above the table legally. To allow them to stay but without work permits is to enforce poverty.

By: Rich

Rich — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 03:24:41 +0000

Meaning, if Mizrachim are granted repatriation or compensation back in the Arab world, then such would grant Palestinians the same in Israel.

I think there’s a little error in thought here. It is not repatriation or compensation, but rather why, if Israel could absorb the Jews expelled from the Arab world, will the Arab world not absorb the displaced Palestinians.

Dealing justly with the African refugees is also a completely separate issue; Ayalon should not be comparing them. The Mizrachi Jews were Israel’s to absorb, on the basis of kinship and the idea of Israel as a safe refuge for Jews who cannot remain where they are. Just dealings with the African refugees ought not result in permanent settlement in Israel, but rather in judicious placement in countries like the US or Australia or the European countries, countries more massive and richer than Israel. It would take some serious cooperation to make that happen, and while I think it sucks that Israel is turning these people over to those from whom they are fleeing, it should also be noted that Israel has no obligation to permanently settle them either.

By: Dave Boxthorn

Dave Boxthorn — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 01:28:42 +0000

1/ Er, what do the Mizrahi themselves tend to think about this?

2/ Are there any Sephardim or Mizrahim on your masthead? All the names look Ashkenazi to me although some of the noms de web may represent people who are not Ashkenazi. What’s the story?