On the rage following the entry of the unity government: "Disappointed Gantz made the most noise, it does not mean they are the majority" • Opposition chairman Yair Lapid: "I picked up a phone to Yair, I told him in tears that I was leaving" Ethiopian, do not regret leaving the future

• Minister Pnina Tamano-Hatta // Photo: Eric Sultan. Jacket, tank top and pants: Castro; Jewelry: Magnolia

If there is anything that can't be said about the Themanno gem, it's "okay." Either you connect with it, or you shy away from it. For the politician who managed to make history and become the first minister in Israel from the Ethiopian community, everything is powerful. She is opinionated, loud, and transmits great self-confidence.

As she sits down in her new office in the Immigration and Absorption Office, for the first interview since taking office as Immigration and Absorption Minister, she does two things that testify to her management style. First she looks for the bureau's cleaner, to personally thank her for her work ("She's the only one I haven't known yet"), and then she removes her heel shoes. "Come on, work is done through the legs."

"Hello, Honorable Minister," I open, and there is silence in the room. Although I have been reviewing Tamanou's work since the beginning of the Knesset seven years ago, she looks at me and bursts into laughter. "I sing, do you realize?

"When I came in here, I told my team that we must go back to the Knesset bureau. It's not just the transition from the Knesset to the minister's office, I admit. It's important to me, it's not natural to me.

"I love going upstairs to my parents' house in Petah Tikva, a third floor without an elevator, and having Ethiopian coffee there. I know where my starting point was and where I came from, and all I care about is to do well. I always want to stay with my feet on the ground, and I Came to work. "

Tamanu has no plans to fire the office workers and bring in her people. She believes she should also work with professionals already familiar with the bureau. "There are many who think I'm militant, because I'm fighting racism and discrimination, and think it comes only from feelings of deprivation or anger. But most of my struggles came from love for society. Although I come from the Ethiopian community, , And everyone has a place around the bonfire. "

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With due respect for declarations of unity, Tamano-38 (38) would not have reached the government had she not left who put her on his list: Opposition Chairman Yair Lapid.

How did Lapid respond when he announced that you were leaving "Yesh Futur" for the benefit of Benny Gantz and joining the government?

"He was disappointed, and I can understand his disappointment. I was the youngest in the future, he always treated me very nicely, and my relationship with him was strong even when I was not in the Knesset (Tamanou-Zha did not enter the Knesset in the 2015 elections, when she was No. 13 on the list, and back To the Knesset in 2018 following the resignation of Jacob Perry;

"But between a torch and a future and the public interest, I was unequivocally clear about what I choose. I chose the values ​​I grew up on at home. I am an independent person, with independent opinions, and did not consider myself voting against a unity government.

"I was very disappointed when 'Blue and White' broke up. I wanted us to get in unity, and I talked about that in our faction meetings. I said no one would think he was more moral than I was, because going to a fourth election would be the most unethical for the public.

"A week after breaking down the list, I realized that if I stayed in the future, I would lose myself. I picked up a phone call to Yair, told him in tears that I was leaving, and he asked me to come home to talk. We had a long conversation, because our personal relationships are very good and close. The conversation is that it is important for me to maintain our friendship, and he asked me to reconsider my steps. But I chose what I chose. "

In conjunction with her appointment to the Immigration and Absorption Minister, Gadi Jibrakan was appointed Deputy Minister of Internal Security and in charge of integrating Ethiopian Jews. There is no great love between the two, although outwardly they try to maintain a polite dialogue, in favor of industrial quiet in the community. In an interview given by Ybrakan to "Sitting" three months ago, after switching from white to Likud, he said: "People went to vote for blue and white thanks to me and to the gem Tamanu Shetah, who is a hardworking and groundbreaking Knesset member, but I and she think differently. Ethiopia in the same party, does not mean we think the same. I wish her good luck. "

Tammano-She then said in response: "I recommend to Gadi Jibrakan to learn what modesty is. He was not yet a year in the Knesset and passed no law, so before he preached to others to look at himself. Why go through four parties and camp in a party that for a decade did not lead to solutions in her situation? Of the Ethiopian community - not on the issue of racism, not on the issue of immigration and not on promoting its dismal economic situation?

"The person who repeatedly overthrows interrogation committees to examine racism against Ethiopian immigrants is the Likud government. It is best for Mr Bibrakan to stand behind his decision to upgrade his place, without seeking excuses from Goren and the winery. I wish him success in finding a stable ideology, without trafficking the votes of the community. Being a bit more of a voice contractor. "

Jibrakan said in that interview that in the community he was pressured to move to Likud. There were pressures in the community too?

"I had pressure from the nuclear family to join the government. My parents and siblings told me, 'Remember where you come from.' Unity with us is valuable. The situation was very complex for me, because I consider myself a gem of everyone, and in the end I represent a community. Ethiopian immigrants in white and blue. I was educated at home for the love of the Land of Israel, love for the people of Israel and unity.

And did you like them? Or was there a future that was just a political leap?

"There's a future that has changed over the years. I define myself center-right, and I'm very traditional. When I returned to 2018, the party looked different to me. Shay Piron was no longer there, then Aliza Lavi wasn't, and the party got a different shade .

"So, on the day of the establishment of Blue and White, I was not happy. Around me they thought it was forced, but in my view it was appropriate. I really liked Gantz's first speech, a speech that spoke about connecting edges and unity, not right and left. And, in fact, the results of blue White in three election campaigns have proven themselves, time after time. "

Blue and White was directed by the Cockpit. How did you feel about this quartet?

"I did not like this thing called 'Cockpit'. The militaristic name also distances women. There was something machoist in Cockpit that I did not connect with, and like many party members. That too, which four decide and not one, just didn't work.

"Today the discourse in white and blue is much more open. Gantz is consulting with us, his opinion is important to him, and that is a significant difference seen in the faction meetings. Members of Knesset share decisions, they are not made up there."

And what about all the disappointed Gantz, who chose him because he pledged not to sit with a prime minister accused of criminality?

"I can understand their disappointment. On the other hand, they have to understand that the alternative was to degrade the State of Israel for further elections, which is out of the question. Leadership is required to make courageous decisions and always choose the public interest, and not necessarily the public spirit. Of the opponents, but that doesn't mean they were the majority. They just made the most noise. "

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The first time Tamno Zee saw my son was 35 years ago. She - a 3-year-old girl who first breathed the air of Israel after a grueling journey from Ethiopia, through Sudan. He - Deputy Commander Sheldag, who accompanied Operation Moshe.

"It was only at the AIPAC conference last year that the token fell on me, that my son and I were there together," she says. "He saw my starting point at the most dramatic moment in my life, and it created a connection between us.

"When my father saw the military plane that was coming to take us to Israel, he was very scared and ran back to the desert with me. One soldier grabbed him and calmed him down. I remember the soldiers brought us candy and water bags. It was a formative moment in my life.

"After the plane doors closed, I realized that my mom and my sisters weren't there. Their truck broke down on the way, and they stayed behind, in Sudan. I didn't even know if they were alive. Every day I would stand at the entrance to the trailer center at Pardes Hanna Absorption and pray that Mom would come back. They came to Israel.

"Benny Gantz is a much-loved figure in the Ethiopian community, in the community, military personnel who donate to the state are appreciated. When he speaks to the community, I don't feel he is talking about a gem. He doesn't really need me, he is attached to them. I appreciate him for giving 40 years of his life to our country. , Both him and Gabi Ashkenazi.

"Talk about the fact that Gantz is a political corpse, but both he and Ashkenazi were ready to be a physical corpse for 40 years for all of us. They commanded so many soldiers from all corners of society, which is significant to me. Because of this, they know all the guilds of society."

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Tamanu Shethe is considered a leader and a pioneer in the Ethiopian community in Israel. She is the granddaughter of Case Chateau Mehret, a descendant of a dynasty of prominent spiritual leaders of Ethiopian Jews, and a sixth generation to Father Mahari Sothal, a Jewish monk who lived and worked in Ethiopia in the 19th century and served as spiritual leader of the Beta Israel community. After all, it was he who led the failed and tragic immigration campaign of the parishioners to Israel in 1862, a journey that ended with the deaths of many.

Her parents Vorko (Menashe) and Tedla (Mazal), aged 90 and 80 (estimated age), live near her in Petah Tikva. She has a brother and five sisters, four of whom are older. The little sister, Bracha, was born in a camp in Sudan, during her journey to Israel.

"When I was a child, my older sisters wanted to clean and tidy the house, and they would send me out to play, so I wouldn't interfere," she smiles. "To this day they make me laugh that my 'female skills', so-called Amharic 'satanet', are not up to the standards of the community. I am not the standard."

The acclaim in the country she remembers as positive. "Throughout my life I have felt as Israeli as possible. Growing up in a religious home, I studied at the Tzafira Studio in a program of excellence for gifted Ethiopian children, and then went on to the Karmit boarding school at the ORT College in Jerusalem.

"At the age of 12, I was going to help my mother with her work, she worked as a cleaner at Hasharon Hospital. Even when I was a law student at Ono Academic College, I helped her. I did it out of a place of honor and help. Respect for parents is a first for us.

"Mom didn't like coming to work with her because she didn't want to get me used to it. While she educated me not to disrespect anyone and anyone, but she wanted me to understand that working in this cleanliness was not a fate, and I should have my own ambitions.

"Lucky I went with her. One day, when she was cleaning a nonprofit's offices to help those in need, I saw one of the workers there preventing her from drinking water during work. I went in to the association's manager and yelled at him. Wow, wow, what I did to them there. They immediately apologized."

She met her husband Zion, a foreman at Mekorot, in a joint acquaintance. They have a daughter and a son - Tahal (10) and Uri (8). "They both made it clear to me that despite the appointment, they want a little brother. Tahal even made inquiries about what age I could give birth to, and told me not to be egotistical, and to bring another child up to the age of 45. She negotiates with me daily. Uri also joined the lobby. I have a parliament here.

"My dream was to be a mother of six children, because I was blessed with amazing brothers and sisters. But this is where the career, the elections, the Knesset came in. I have a yearning for another child. I am very open with the children, sometimes have to put limits on myself, because I talk to them about everything.

"I also need to get better as a mother. Being with them longer, without the phone, really investing quality time in them. I'm worse at it, all the time on the phone. I have won that I have a husband who is a dominant father, who puts the balance in our lives. With the exposure, but between us, he is the real hero. "

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She is a lawyer by profession, holds a Bachelor of Law degree from UNO Academic Career and a Masters in Public Policy from Tel Aviv University. Previously, she worked as a First Channel correspondent and served as a director at ACUM and a communications and infrastructure company.

She began her public activity at the age of 18, working with at-risk youth in the Ethiopian community. In the IDF, she served as a promotional sergeant in the Home Front. Then she worked for women's empowerment and became a social activist in the fight against discrimination and racism. In 2015, she was among Ethiopian protest leaders. Her work received the Martin Luther King King letter and the "Social Friendship Letter" from the Friendship Fund.

In 2013, when 15th in the list has a future, Tamanouche became the first woman from the Ethiopian Knesset. At the entry of the future, a government was appointed deputy chairman of the Knesset.

During her years in the Knesset, she also worked on the Committee on the Rights of the Child and promoted issues related to children and youth at risk. Among other things, it passed a child protection law against teaching workers accused of sex crimes and violence.

In 2014, following a visit to Ofek Prison, which revealed that 40 percent of minor prisoners were Ethiopian immigrants, a public debate on the issue led to a 7 percent drop. In 2015, following Ethiopian protests, the government's decision to appoint the Palmore Commission to eradicate racism against Ethiopian immigrants led. One of its biggest accomplishments is changing the practices that discriminate against Ethiopian immigrants in donating blood in 2017, a feat that led to then-Health Minister Yael German.

Last week, Tamano Zeta was the keynote speaker at the memorial ceremony for the thousands of those killed in Operation Moses, held on Mount Herzl every year on Jerusalem Day. When singer Eden Elena, who is out of the community, burst into tears as she performed the song "We Will Soon Come to Eretz Israel", she also opened her eyes and dove into the memories.

"We were 13 brothers. We stayed seven. I had sisters I don't even know what they were called. At home, no names are mentioned, because it is very difficult for my parents, and we respect them. Dealing with bereavement is mostly through booming silence. I can understand it, but I also understand that our generation is committed to perpetuating the dead.

"I was born in the village of Vesaba, a secluded village, and my first memory is of someone on a stretcher, and I wanted in the fields. There was no real medicine, everything was based on grandmother's medicine, and you could also die from strep throat. When my mother was pregnant with me, one of my sisters died. To me on her deathbed, she asked our mother who would give all the corn she raised, and Mom told her that she would keep everything just for her.This story really hurt me.

"My Amharic name is 'Fanta', which means 'my portion.' Mother chose to call me that after she lost my sister."

Already, just two weeks after she was appointed to Sarah, it is clear to her that her private immigration experience will directly impact her performance. "Only those who have immigrated to Israel themselves can understand what it is to be a new immigrant. What is it to be excited about every step in this country, from the first hearing of Hebrew and every new word in the language. And what is it to experience racism on your flesh.

"I feel that I have come to places in life that are definitely a privilege - to be a lawyer, a director, a communications woman. After the way I went, I can understand the versatility of Israeli society, to connect with people."

Were you ready to get another bag too?

"If they had not offered me the immigration and absorption file, I would have asked for the welfare case. I would not have taken a case that did not suit me."

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How do you rate the level of integration of Ethiopian immigrants into Israeli society?

"I don't like this terminology, which says that there is one side that needs to be integrated. All sides need openness. Israeli society is very diverse, and the issue of inclusion and different acceptance should be our top priority and start from an early age, in the education system.

"The diversity of skin color has led to serious challenges of racism and discrimination, which I have fought throughout my life. We have made a way of tackling racism, but I cannot say that the struggle is nearing an end. The country is not facing the Ethiopian community in 2015, so the first big protest broke out And the attention to the community is growing. I intend to continue to take the government's active responsibility in the matter of discrimination. "

The Israeli public mainly remembers the violent images from the protests of the Ethiopian community. Burning a vehicle, driving violence against police officers.

"Unfortunately, the violence in the protests was almost inevitable. When pushing civilians with their backs to the wall, surely when it comes to young people who have been beaten at home, the violence is something that is taking over and exploding. I remember standing in Rabin Square in 2015 and falling down in tears. It was a civil war.

"My struggles were from a place of faith in the people of Israel, not a place of hatred, but a place of love. But when a whole generation cries out for its soul, and thousands call for change, it means demanding. The children from the Ethiopian community should feel equal, not go out. 14 who come out to demonstrate this breaks the heart.

"After Salomon Tekke's death, the parents of community members are in a frantic worry as they look at the protests. They have no day and no night, but they know their children are determined to fix it."

Don't you condemn the violence of the community? I myself suffered an iron rod in the back when I attended a community rally at the Tel Aviv government following the death of Salomon Teka.

"What ?! Oh my gosh. I'm against violence on every side. In Rabin Square in 2015, there was severe violence on all sides, both from the police and the protesters. It is very sensitive to me. Unfortunately, the police were prepared for the war, and that was the feeling. The police came with Cavalry and tear gas, which led to a rally in front of the protesters in no time.

"Even when the disabled go out against the allowances and the state has cavalry and tear gas of that magnitude? And when the social workers go out against the state? And when the parents protest against the genes? But when Ethiopian immigrants go out against police violence, the police are in charge of demonstrating the matter.

"Former Minister of Public Security Gilad Arden made a very wise decision to protest in Rabin Square in 2018: He sent as few forces as possible to the area. The policemen were held on side streets, and a demonstration of 20,000 people passed in exemplary silence. I called later to thank him for that decision, Who only showed that when one comes with cavalry - one prepares for war, and when one works with the Ethiopian public in a container, things look different. "

The rate of violence against women in the Ethiopian sector is higher than in the general population. How is this problem handled?

"Violence against women has no status or community and there is no economic cut, it crosses sectors. Certainly there is room to make cultural adjustments, and there are populations that need to be addressed more. In the Ethiopian community, mediators have recently been brought in by community leaders. From our community, which goes out against violence against women and is harnessed in virtual protest, in networks. But we have a long way to go. "

What have you been doing for the two weeks you're on duty?

"I was in the position just a week ago, and do you know what is most annoying to me? There are no air conditioners in the absorption centers. That's the first thing I worried about: adding ventilation and installing air conditioners. In the Corona case, the office has 74 senior citizens housing over 80, who are newcomers. 13,000 people in need of care increase my supervision over them.

"I also wanted to get the government's approval of the regulations that make it easier to open studios in accordance with the purple character. The Corona may not have studios' activity. They should be opened immediately, in accordance with the guidelines.

"I entered the post blessed week: there was an increase of 111 people from Ukraine, who came in the middle of the Corona. And after the interview, I am going to get 119 Ethiopian immigrants."

What do you consider to be a success?

"First, that the rate of immigration to Israel will increase. I want as many Jews as want to return home, to Israel. Following the Corona, organizations such as the Jewish Agency, the soul and others, report an increase in requests for immigration.

"Not only do we have to love immigration, we also have to love immigrants. It's not enough that we bring them on airplanes. They have to make sure they feel at home from the first minute. In housing, employment, language. Studio studies take a few months, but the new immigrants feel that the language is not yet in their mouths when they finish the studio. "

danieller@israelhayom.co.il