MK Molla to A-G: Investigate Kiryat Malachi racism

Kadima MK calls Ch. 2 report on decision banning the rental or sale of homes to Ethiopians "simply racist and evil."

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Kadima MK Shlomo Molla (photo credit: Courtesy: Itzik Edri, Kadima)
Kadima MK Shlomo Molla
(photo credit: Courtesy: Itzik Edri, Kadima)
MK Shlomo Molla (Kadima) on Wednesday called on Attorney-General Yehuda Weinstein to open a criminal investigation into allegations aired Tuesday by Channel 2 that a neighborhood council in Kiryat Malachi banned the rental or sale of homes to those of Ethiopian descent.
"I am appalled by the evilness and hatred toward those of Ethiopian descent," Molla said of the report. "Kiryat Malachi, which absorbed and absorbs Ethiopian immigrants is a model for immigrant absorption, but from the report it appears that some of its residents are simply racist and evil."
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According to the Channel 2 report, dozens of residents gathered to sign the agreement aimed at keeping Israelis of Ethiopian descent out of their neighborhood, which was approved unanimously.
The racism has apparently become a common phenomenon in the sunny southern Israeli city.
"A good Ethiopian is an Ethiopian in a grave," one resident told a Channel 2 reporter. Another complained about the smell of Ethiopian cuisine and how the Israelis of Ethiopian descent carry the odor themselves.
Another man said a man working at the local kindergarten was asked not to walk through the neighborhood.
In his letter to the attorney-general, MK Molla wrote: "If the events brought to light by the report are true, it is incitement to racism that greatly harms an entire population."
Additionally, "it harms the State of Israel's image as a Jewish and democratic state where equality among different populations is a basic tenet."
As we struggle against the exclusion of women, we must fight against the phenomenon of excluding weaker populations, he wrote to Weinstein.
Therefore, "I request that you instruct Israel Police to open an comprehensive investigation, to look into the incident and to bring those involved to justice."


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