'Discrimination against Ethiopians should mean prison term'

Knesset Immigration, Absorption and Diaspora Affairs Committee Chairman Danny Danon makes comments during visit to Kiryat Malachi.

By LAHAV HARKOV
MK Danny Danon 311 (photo credit: Courtesy: Knesset)
MK Danny Danon 311
(photo credit: Courtesy: Knesset)
Anyone who discriminates against Ethiopians should go to prison, Knesset Immigration, Absorption and Diaspora Affairs Committee Chairman Danny Danon (Likud) said during a visit to Kiryat Malachi on Sunday.
Danon, as well as MKs Daniel Ben Simon (Labor), Robert Tivayev (Kadima) and Shlomo Molla (Kadima) visited the town following a recent news report that residents of Kiryat Malachi signed an agreement not to sell or rent apartments to families of Ethiopian descent.
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The report sparked ire in the immigrant community, which held a protest outside the Knesset last week.
Danon said that he is embarrassed as a representative of the Knesset that he would have to hold so many meetings about racism against Ethiopian-Israelis.
He added that the Aliyah Committee will work to stop segregated pre-schools and integrate families of Ethiopian descent throughout Israel.
One of the stops on the trip was the “Or M’Ofir” academy, headed by national- religious Rabbi Haim Druckman, which helps young men of Ethiopian descent prepare for IDF service and university.
Danon commended the national-religious community for helping integrate the Ethiopian community, while Druckman said he is thankful for Ethiopian aliya and what they contribute to society.
“We give them an equal chance to fit in and succeed in their private lives,” Druckman said.