Why Ethiopian Jews Are Building a Movement Against Racism in Israel

Solidarity marches for U.S. protesters rippling around the world reached Israel on Tuesday where hundreds of protesters waved “Black Lives Matter” signs and chanted “George Floyd.” They also called out another name: Solomon Teka. Over the past five years, six young men of Ethiopian descent have been killed by cops, according to the Association for Education and Social Integration of Ethiopian Jews. Police data also shows Ethiopian Israelis are still disproportionately overrepresented in arrests and indictments even though they make up 2 percent of the population. Young Ethiopian Israelis have led the protest movement against racism and called for systemic reform.