Race and Israel

Ethiopian Jews apparently feel like outsiders in Israel:

Anthropologist Dr. Malka Shabtai examines the club culture of youths of Ethiopian origin in Israel in her book "Between Reggae and Rap - Music and Identity among Ethiopian Youth" published four years ago. In the first in-depth expose of the black subculture Shabtai writes that "the appearance and development of an American-African-Israeli-subculture, and the identification with black music like reggae and rap, serve to shape their identity."

"The teenagers express their identity with black music styles by partying in night clubs, listening and dancing in different styles. This is the highest form of identity with music, as it combines musical taste, ideology and lifestyle," she writes.

Shabtai says, "This pattern is not merely the teenagers' preference, but appears to be the outcome of the encounter between Ethiopian teenagers and black music styles."

Close to 2 A.M. hundreds of youngsters, mostly Ethiopian, are dancing in the crowded Soweto and Allenby clubs. The girls are wearing daring, tight clothes, some have bright jewelry, and their hair is braided. One girl, dressed all in white, has a gold Star of David at her throat. She dances in front of the mirror, hugging a young boy. The hip-hop music is deafening. "Israelis go to a club to hear Middle Eastern music, with us its black music. Many may not understand the words, but they identify with the message. They know the songs are about racism and violence, and they feel that way," says Kumra.

Many don't feel wanted in Israel:

In a small, dark room behind the bar sits one of the club owners, Ilan Adamka. "Israel is one of the most racist states in the world toward blacks," he says. "When I was younger, I tried to connect to Israeli music, go to clubs with white friends, but they wouldn't let me in. Today the Ethiopian youngsters don't even try to go. They know this is their place, where they can hear the music they identify with," he says.

Adamka, 30, immigrated to Israel in 1985, and lives in Tel Aviv. "Although I've been here 20 years I don't feel Israeli. My identity is first Jewish and then Ethiopian. I don't feel I belong here. The culture doesn't speak to me. I don't watch Channel 2. I feel connected to the Ethiopian culture, that has existed for thousands of years, rather than the Israeli one," he says.

Many Ethiopians in their 20s and 30s, who were born in Israel or immigrated at a young age, admit that although they passed the military "melting pot" they still feel different and unwanted in Israelis' hangouts and prefer to hang out in their own places. For many, going to black clubs is not in defiance or rebellion, as is often portrayed in the Israeli media, but because they are forbidden from going to "Israeli" clubs and not allowed to fit in. However, most of them admit that Ethiopian teenagers today have given up the attempt to belong and go to places for "Ethiopians only."

"Where can they go?" asks Adamka. They see their older brothers still going to black nightclubs, so what can they do? I tried to fit in and go to Israelis' places, but did not succeed." He says Ethiopian youngsters today start going to black music clubs and dress as rappers from a young age, among other things as a result of MTV clubs.

"Today's young Ethiopians identify with hip-hop and rap. My generation was raised on reggae, like Marley and Buju Banton, The Roots and the messages of brotherhood and love. Today's youngsters identify with black protest music in the United States. They too feel stuck in the ghetto."

"The young Ethiopians feel lost in Israeli society. They have served in the IDF and many go to university, yet they cannot integrate. Many stay to work within the community. They cannot manage to get out," says Shabtai.