Reports of racist or discriminatory behavior in Israel rose threefold in 2020 compared to 2019, a new official report shows.
The report by the Anti-Racism Coordination Unit, presented to Justice Minister Benny Gantz on Wednesday, showed that 54% of the incidents reported last year were directed at Israelis of Ethiopian origin and Arabs.
The unit, set up to lead and coordinate the fight against racism in the civil service, includes a statement on government action to prevent tackle racism and discrimination, oversee the implementation of racist eradication recommendations by various ministries and handle complaints of institutional racism and discrimination in the public service received from citizens.
Over the past year, the office received 1,450 complaints about 506 incidents, compared to 497 complaints in 2019.
Officials at the unit say the sharp rise in reports stems from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and reached a peak during the March 2020 election in Israel.
The report showed that 26% of incidents involved discrimination while receiving public service; 19% were involved in racist language; 15% discrimination in the workplace; Advertisements full of racism / stereotype; 9% involving the police; 4% taking place within the education system; and 3% include racist crimes.
About 27% of protest incidents involved Ethiopian crimes, 27% Arabs, 19% ultra-rectangular crimes, 7% referring to the former Soviet Union and 20% other groups.
One of the complaints related to discrimination against Arabs at a public park in the northern city of Karmiel.
An Arab family wanted to enter the park, but the security guard at the entrance asked them to show their ID. According to the family, they were denied entry when the guard realized they were an Arab.
A lawsuit has been filed against Karmiel town hall on the case.
Another complaint was related to a racist comment made by the government’s chief executive. According to the report, the official told an employee who was presenting a relief plan for the Ethiopian-Israeli community: “Do you think Ethiopians will play on a Jewish field?”
Next, an official complaint was filed against what he said was questioning the right of the Ethiopian community to be in Israel.
The unit also received reports of advertisements showing the ultra-Orthodox as coronavirus spreaders. One complaint of discrimination was made against Haredi’s expectant mothers.
The complaint said that Haredi women at a ward in a public hospital were separated from the rest of the ward residents and humiliated.
Following the incident, the Ministry of Health ordered all hospitals to provide equal treatment to all departments, stating that the health system would not tolerate any racism, and that medical treatment should not be based on demographics.
“The increase in complaints over the past year and the numbers arguing in the office demonstrates the importance of the unit and strengthens public confidence in it,” said the Chief Executive. Ministry of Justice Sigal Yaakovi.
“The persistence of a coronavirus crisis reinforces the pressure of unity in this period in particular. The unit and the Ministry of Justice will continue to work consistently and firmly to reduce racism and discrimination,” she said.
“The unit’s report addresses the harsh reality of racism, discrimination and exclusion for various numbers in Israeli society,” said National Anti-Racism Coordinator Aweke Zena.
“We will work to eradicate the racism of an institution where it is. The unit is an important institution in the fight against racism and has won the public’s trust, which is evident in the number of complaints lodged, “he said.
“The unit will continue to work on changing systematic rejection methods and will identify the racist attitudes and behaviors that exist in the civil service.”