To The NAACP: Racism in Israel

cmp.2009.04.20
ed.2009.04.20.10 (Public Draft)

To the NAACP, Department of International Affairs:
1156 15th Street, NW Suite 915
Washington, DC 20005
Tel: 202-463-2940
Fax: 202-463-2953

The Washington Street Journal recently posted an article that began this way:

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called Israel the "most cruel and repressive racist regime" at a racism conference in Geneva, giving a fresh reminder of the challenges the U.S. faces in its effort to improve relations with Tehran.

European diplomats walked out of the room after the comments Monday. The U.S. and a handful of European allies had already boycotted the United Nations event out of concern it would become a platform to criticize Israel, and the Iranian president's planned attendance added fuel to those concerns.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124021935702234443.html

It wouldn't take much interviewing to realize that many of Israel's citizens would agree with his statement. There is incredible racism in Israel and rampant segregation. There is even racism between the different Jewish sects based on "race" of all things, (whether they are from Iran, or Russia, or from Spain, etc). And if there is favoritism, then there is cruelty. Any mistreatment based on race, religion or even gender has been argued over and over again to be cruelty.

The schools are even segregated.

I personally witnessed a Jewish Rabbi take his daughter to Ben-Gurion hospital, and I watched as she was admitted to a medical ward where there were Ethiopian patients. After a day of being in this ward, the Rabbi pulled some strings, and was transferred to a completely different medical ward where it was was far cleaner, and much better staffed.

So, if it is true that "An injustice anywhere, is an injustice everywhere", then why does it seem that the NAACP is silent concerning Israel's religious and racial practices of prejudice? Why does the World seem to ignore these issues? Is it because we all insist on stubbornly believing that "Israel can do no wrong"?

I sincerely would like to know if it is true that we just quote these "idealizations" only when we wish to further the causes of our own families and communities. Or, do we really have selfless concern for other nations as well?

If the NAACP has voiced concern over these issues, (or has decided that racism is not an issue in Israel), could you all point me to research and work done by the NAACP concerning Israel? On the other hand, if there hasn't been any ongoing work in this area by the NAACP, are you all considering investigating this issue?

I would really love to see the NAACP bring a spotlight on these issues, in order to help encourage change in Israel. And I hope you understand that this is the intent of this letter.

Thank you for assistance,

Sincerely,
Elika S. Kohen