Immigration, Ethnicity and Ethnic Relations in Israel

Larissa Remennick, Ph.D.

Schusterman Visiting Professor of Israeli studies

Israel as Ultimate Immigrant Israel as Ultimate Immigrant SocietySociety 95% are 1st, 295% are 1st, 2ndnd or 3 or 3rdrd generation immigrants generation immigrants 35% were born outside of Israel35% were born outside of Israel Major ethnic groups: Palestinians (20%), Major ethnic groups: Palestinians (20%),

Ashkenazi Jews (30%), Sephardic/Mizrahi Jews Ashkenazi Jews (30%), Sephardic/Mizrahi Jews (30%), Mixed Jewish Ethics (15%); non-Jews (30%), Mixed Jewish Ethics (15%); non-Jews from FSU (4%), Black Ethiopian Jews (1%)from FSU (4%), Black Ethiopian Jews (1%)

Historic outline: late 19-early 20 century Historic outline: late 19-early 20 century Aliyah waves, pre-state immigrants of the Aliyah waves, pre-state immigrants of the 1930-1940s; Mizrahi Aliyah of the 1950s; 1930-1940s; Mizrahi Aliyah of the 1950s; post-1967 and the Big Russian Aliyah of the post-1967 and the Big Russian Aliyah of the 1990s 1990s

Israel as Ethnic DemocracyIsrael as Ethnic Democracy

The Law of Return (1950/1970) regulates The Law of Return (1950/1970) regulates immigration to Israel. 'Jew' for the purposes of immigration to Israel. 'Jew' for the purposes of Aliyah& citizenship is defined broadly similarly Aliyah& citizenship is defined broadly similarly to the Nazi anti-Jewish laws of the 1930sto the Nazi anti-Jewish laws of the 1930s

The gap between a civic and Halachic The gap between a civic and Halachic definitions of Jewishness as source of definitions of Jewishness as source of discrimination of non-Jews discrimination of non-Jews

Lack of separation between state and religion Lack of separation between state and religion & religious monopoly in personal status laws & religious monopoly in personal status laws

Ethnic democracy Ethnic democracy (continued)(continued) Lack of Constitution and system of Basic Laws Lack of Constitution and system of Basic Laws The Law of Return does not include ArabsThe Law of Return does not include Arabs Minority rights – political representation, Minority rights – political representation,

freedom of occupation, non-discrimination by freedom of occupation, non-discrimination by sex, age, ethnicity or religionsex, age, ethnicity or religion

The problem of occupied territories and status The problem of occupied territories and status of Palestinians beyond the Green Line of Palestinians beyond the Green Line (including East Jerusalem)(including East Jerusalem)

Two State solution vs State of all CitizensTwo State solution vs State of all Citizens

Jewish Israel: The lines of social stratification

Ahkenasim, Spharadim & Mizrahim Old-timers vs. recent immigrants Social class and wealth Center vs periphery Political right-center-left-radical left Skin color, accents, dress & behavior codes

The pillars of Israeli identity

Nation-building project on-going Militarism and 'security culture' Hebrew mono-lingualism at the expense of

diaspora languages Zionism or Post-Zionism? Familism and 'motherhood mandate' Immigration & Absorption

The Great Russian Aliyah of the 1990s

Driven by push factors – demise of the USSR Other destination countries closing their doors About 1,000 immigrants between 1989-2004,

among them half just between 1990&1993 High on human capital but low on Jewish identity High % of mixed families and non-Jews Multiple integration challenges

Ethiopian Immigrants in Israel

Arriving in two organized airlifts: 1984 & 1991 Many families split by Israel's migration

decisions (Jews vs Falashim) Hard sacrifices and difficult road to Aliyah Low human capital and pre-modern society Problems of integration & racism

Emigration or Yerida?

About 750,000 Israelis live abroad more or less permanently (US, Canada,Europe, Australia)

Shuttle movement to study and work Immigrants returning to origin countries:

Russians 10%

Americans 30%

French 20% Keeping two homes