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Opinion | You Can't Be What You Can't See | Israel Hayom

2023-06-04T21:01:53.451Z

Highlights: Adv. Awka Zena is one of only three Israelis of Ethiopian descent to serve in senior positions in the civil service. Zena, a major in the reserves, was a senior attorney in the Tel Aviv State Prosecutor's Office. An examination conducted by the Center for Citizen Empowerment found that most of the Palmor Commission's decisions, adopted in two government decisions, were not implemented. The Israeli government must strive and work towards as much diversity as possible in public service, writes Zena.


When someone like Awka Zena does not hold a senior position in public service, the impact is not only on the fate of discriminated populations, but also on perceptions among the general public


Six years ago, following the public protest that followed years of police brutality, then-Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked and then-Justice Ministry Director General Amy Palmor decided to establish the Anti-Racism Unit. This is part of a policy dictated by the recommendation of the Palmor Committee, which was appointed by a government decision in order to bring about the advancement and optimal integration of Ethiopian immigrants in all areas of Israeli society. The person in charge of establishing and leading the unit is Adv. Awka Zena, who has served in the position to this day.

Adv. Awka Zena, a major in the reserves, was a senior attorney in the Tel Aviv State Prosecutor's Office. Despite the state's commitment to diversify the civil service, Zena is one of only three Israelis of Ethiopian descent to serve in senior positions in the civil service. Last weekend we were informed that it had been decided to bring his term to an end.

The news made me very sad. There is no industrious, wise and purposeful person like Zena who can make Israeli society more egalitarian and just.

An examination conducted by the Center for Citizen Empowerment found that most of the Palmor Commission's decisions, adopted in two government decisions, were not implemented, or were only partially implemented – 55% of the decisions, to be precise – while the Justice Ministry claimed that 85% had already been implemented.

For example, the need for legislative changes necessary to prevent racism and discrimination was not examined: the legal aid provided to those who suffered from cases of racial discrimination was terminated with the expiration of the temporary order regulating it, no database of candidates of Ethiopian origin for placement of academics in the civil service was established, and no fund was established for initial training in the fields of the arts to encourage artists of Ethiopian origin.

In addition, there was no compulsory training for teaching, administrative or staff at the Ministry of Education, and no work plans were developed that included compulsory training courses on equality, dealing with and preventing racism and discrimination, which might have prevented racist incidents, such as the one documented in Netivot.

One of the few achievements that the state can credit is the government unit for coordinating the fight against racism. The person who founded it and led it experienced racism himself, and devoted all his purpose and energy not only to the advancement of Israelis of Ethiopian origin, but to the advancement of all minorities in Israeli society.

With this decision, the Israeli government shoots itself in the right foot and inflicts a double blow on the peace public. When someone like Awka Zena is not in a senior position in public service, the impact is not only on the fate of discriminated populations, but also on perceptions among the general public.

Beyond the personal injustice inflicted on prostitution, I can't help but wonder what will happen to the entire unit, and in the process, what will happen to the struggle against racism in Israel.

Just last March, I was called to the Knesset for a hearing by the Immigration, Absorption and Diaspora Committee, following the publication of the findings of a report by the Knesset's own Research and Information Center, which indicates that 56 per cent of government companies and 73 per cent of public corporations did not meet the target of fair representation of Ethiopian immigrants.

As the head of an organization whose goal is to bring about a change in perceptions and attitudes towards Israelis of Ethiopian origin, to train and integrate academics of Ethiopian origin, I see every day how many talented young men and women still have to make their way. On the other hand, I see how many talents, experts and expertise in their field have succeeded in integrating into senior positions, and proving that they are the key to the prosperity and success of Israeli society.

We must not let this decision go quietly. The Israeli government must strive and work towards as much diversity as possible in public service. Public service is supposed to be a shining example for Israeli society as a whole: more women, more minorities, fewer excuses. We can't be what we can't see.

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Source: israelhayom

All news articles on 2023-06-04

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