Black Hebrews in Israel Face Threat of Deportation After Decades of Struggle for Recognition

Black Hebrews in Israel Face Threat of Deportation After Decades of Struggle for Recognition.

Dozens of members of the African Hebrew Israelites of Jerusalem, also known as Black Hebrews, are facing deportation from Israel after decades of living in the country.

The Black Hebrews first arrived in Israel from the United States in the 1960s and claim an ancestral connection to the nation.

While some members have obtained Israeli citizenship, around 130 Black Hebrews remain undocumented, facing the risk of deportation. Many of them have spent their entire adult lives in Israel and lack foreign passports, leaving them with nowhere else to go.

The Black Hebrews’ struggle for recognition highlights Israel’s strict immigration policy, which automatically grants citizenship to those considered Jewish but limits entry for others who do not fall under its definition.

The community’s beliefs are rooted in the belief that certain African peoples are descendants of the biblical Israelites and that the transatlantic slave trade was prophesied in the Bible. They adhere to strict biblical laws formulated by their late founder, including strict veganism, abstaining from tobacco and hard alcohol, fasting on the Sabbath, polygamy, and a ban on wearing synthetic fabrics.

Despite facing legal challenges and bureaucratic wrangling, some members have gained Israeli citizenship, but others continue to be stateless, facing uncertainty and potential deportation.

The Black Hebrews’ plight underscores the complexities of Israel’s immigration policies and the challenges faced by religious communities seeking recognition and integration into Israeli society.

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Source | AP