A melting pot turns 60

Ambassador Yaccov Amitai was born in Kibbutz Yiftah, Israel, in 1947. He has a B.A. Degree in History of the Middle East and Political Science, Hebrew University, Jerusalem (1972) as well as an M.A. in Middle Eastern Studies, Tel-Aviv University (1975). He has served in various positions within the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and has been Ambassador of Israel to Kenya, with accreditation also for Uganda, Tanzania, Mauritius and the Seychelles, and Permanent Representative to UNEP and HABITAT.

Immediately prior to assuming his tenure as Ambassador of Israel to Ethiopia on August 18, 2005, Ambassador Amitai was Principal Deputy Head, Center for Political Research, MFA, Jerusalem. The Ambassador and Mrs. Yael Amitai have a daughter and a son.

Israel has celebrated 60 years of statehood with festivities to mark the occasion held in Israel itself, around the world including here in Addis and even in space, where an Israeli astronaut sent a celebratory message from the International Space Station.
In many respects, the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the State of Israel is a milestone event in Jewish history as it signifies the maturity of a nation that has defied all odds to emerge as a democratic, multicultural, multilingual and multi-ethnic society.
To learn more about current reality in Israel, its relationships within its region and beyond, including Israel-Ethiopia ties, Capital's Tesfu Telahoun spoke with H.E. Yaccov Amitai, Ambassador to Ethiopia of the State of Israel. Excerpts:

Capital: - What does the 60th anniversary of the re-establishment of the State of Israel signify to the Israeli people and to the Jewish world?
Ambassador Yaccov Amitai- To the people of Israel, this anniversary signifies the successful achievement of the establishment of a developed, multicultural, multi-ethnic and democratic state which expresses the right of the Jewish people to self-determination, along with respect for the civil rights of the non-Jewish minority of the population.
This achievement was attained against the backdrop of often seemingly insurmountable obstacles and challenges - mainly regional in character but also due to domestic realities.
Also, the State of Israel is today a firm fact of life and part and parcel of the history of Eretz Israel -the land of Israel. This is especially meaningful to Israelis who have been born in Israel (the Sabras). For Jews in the Diaspora, the State of Israel is a state with which they identify with and look to it as their second home. It is to them also, a state whose robust existence ensures the continuity of the Jewish people.
Capital: - In what manner if any, has Israel turned out different from the vision of the founders of the Zionist movement?
Ambassador Yaccov Amitai - The vision of Theodor Herzl was to basically find a solution to the problem of Jewish persecution. Jews were discriminated by countries they were living in so a solution had to be found and this came in the form of a Jewish state. This part of the vision has been implemented. All the rest is completely different.
From Herzl's point of view, a state had to be created somewhere--- even Uganda was discussed. However, the majority of the Zionist movement held that Israel must be re-established in the historic homeland - Eretz Israel, and that Hebrew must be re-invigorated to fit a modern nation.
Capital: - Wasn't Herzl and Zionist idea's more inclined to socialistic principles?
Ambassador Yaccov Amitai- No, not really. He was more of a liberal than a socialist, although he did hold some socialist positions. I would prefer to describe him as a humanist, Herzl imagined some sort of a miniature Europe when he envisioned a state for the Jewish people…
Capital: - But didn't that (a modern western oriented state.) in fact happen…?
Ambassador Yaccov Amitai - Not in that sense. The Jewish segment of the Israeli society is ethnically diverse and composed of Jews who share a common religion, historic memories and vision, living side by side with 24% non-Jewish citizens. This multi-ethnic and multi-cultural society has created, over the past 60 years, a modern, developed country.
Capital: - What have been the most critical challenges Israel has had to overcome over the six decades and what lies ahead?
Ambassador Yaccov Amitai- I would categorize the main challenges as of three sorts. First and paramount is the issue of security. It is well known that Israel was established just three years after the end of the Holocaust, based on UN Resolution 181, which allowed for the partitioning of the land inhabited at the time by Jews and Palestinian Arabs. However Israel had to fight off seven Arab countries, which resisted the resolution for partition - hours after it was created.
Ever since, security - ensuring the very existence of the State of Israel, has been a crucial challenge. This is complementary to Israel's unending and patient efforts to implement peace with its neighbors. At this juncture, we are facing the challenge of solving our tragic conflict with the Palestinian people through implementing the two states solution.
A second challenge had been, in my opinion, the implementation of the main theme of Zionism; which is the ingathering of the exiles in their historic homeland. Namely, it is to absorb Jews who come from all over the world. In the first four years alone (1948-52), the Jewish population of Israel doubled to over 1.3 million. This absorption process has continued and is a priority area for the State of Israel.
Thirdly as a challenge to overcome, was on transforming a land deprived of natural resources and creating a developed economy. This was done despite Israel's significant constraints in respect to water supply, adequate arable land etc. In order to overcome these very real obstacles innovation was the key to transforming the land of Israel to what has been termed "making the desert bloom'. Infrastructure, agriculture, industry and the service sectors were developed to a high degree despite the physical limitations.
Capital: - Ambassador, what is the position of Israeli Arabs in society? Do they regard themselves firstly as Israeli and then as Arab?
Ambassador Yaccov Amitai- There are currently 1.4 million Israeli Arabs out of a total population of 7.26 million. Israel is a Jewish democratic state and as such, it expresses the Jewish people's right for self determination, along with respecting the civic rights of all of its citizens.
Arab citizens run the political and administrative affairs of their own municipalities and they are represented in the Knesset (the Israeli Parliament, which has 120 seats) by 11 Knesset members. Arabic is, along with Hebrew, an official language of Israel. Israeli Arabs are a segment of the Arab people in culture and identity and challenge Israel's identification as a Jewish state but see their future tied to Israel.
Capital:- In the challenges of the political arena and especially of the particular sub-region Israel belongs to tensions blow hot and cold - raising and dashing hopes for a lasting settlement. For instance, it was an exhilarating time when Egypt and Jordan signed peace agreements with Israel. Why didn't the momentum catch on………?
Ambassador Yaccov Amitai- I think that ultimately it has to do with the very complexity of the problem and the diversity of the Middle East. We succeeded to come to terms with Egypt and with Jordan because it was possible to forge relationships based on mutual recognition. It was rooted on the mutual interests of all parties, believing that through peace, progress can be made in building a positive relationship. It was a realization by all that none of the countries involved would benefit from the continuation of a hostile relationship.
Basically, the momentum did not catch on because other Middle Eastern parties have not resigned to Israel's existence in the Middle East and did not give up the efforts to undermine its existence by force.
We still have conflicts and stark differences with certain parties in the Middle East whom at even this juncture in history, are not willing to recognize us. It mainly boils down to the likes of Hamas, Hezbollah and their supporters.
Capital: - Where is the much vaunted Road Map?
Ambassador Yaccov Amitai - I would say that we have at present a rather complicated policy regarding the Palestinians. We are trying our best to achieve progress with the Palestinian Authority, which has agreed to recognize the existence of Israel and to renounce violence. We seek an agreement that will establish a nation state for the Palestinian people alongside the state of Israel - the Jewish State.
The Palestinian state will express the solution for all the Palestinian living in the West Bank, in Gaza and those who have been held in refugee camps for dozens of years just as the establishment of the state of Israel was the national solution for the Jewish refugees from Europe and the Arab states. Dealing with the commitment of both sides stipulated in the Road Map is part and parcel of the current process and the implementation of the final status agreement will be subject to the Road Map.
Capital: - Israel, it is vividly recalled, pulled out of Gaza and dismantled established settlements amid huge domestic anguish and political division. However, Hamas continues to exclusively target Israeli civilians across the border. Can there not be a solution to Israel's security without waiting if and when Hamas finally agrees to recognize Israel?
Ambassador Yaccov Amitai - The way for pacifying Gaza rests in the hands of Hamas. The ball is in their court because as you rightly pointed out; we redeployed from Gaza and dismantled the settlements there, hoping to obtain calm and a measure of peace with our neighbors. However, they have kept on firing rockets on our civilians. So at the moment, as long as Hamas remains on its current path and refuses to adhere to the conditions set forth to it by the International Quartet to recognize Israel, to honor all prior agreements concluded between Israel and the Palestinian Authority and to renounce violence; then I'm afraid that the unfortunate situation will continue.
Capital: - How would you describe Israel's relations; particularly in terms of investment, development cooperation and cultural exchange with Ethiopia.
Ambassador Yaccov Amitai - We have excellent relations with Ethiopia. Of course this is a unique relationship rooted in antiquity; in faith tradition and history. However, of late ties have been translated into practical results and concrete activity on the ground. I refer to the economic relationship with Ethiopia which has seen an ongoing and consistent engagement of Israeli companies, mainly in the agricultural sector Floriculture, horticulture and related complementary services are some of the areas where Israeli investment and technology is involved, including extending services for food security projects, water supply systems, and food processing, among others.
I would also like to mention a particular initiative which is a three year program we collaborate on with USAID and the Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture. It has to do with capacity building especially in regards to biotechnology, water management, grafting fruit scions and cattle husbandry. For Example, Israeli experts are working alongside Ethiopian laboratories (agricultural) in an effort to transform these laboratories into commercial ones which can sell products developed in-house. This program is one of the aspects of Israel's foreign development cooperation initiatives in line with the training programs conducted here and in Israel by MASHAV.
We have at present two MASHAV experts at our Embassy here. One is responsible for the program I mentioned earlier while the other one is based in the Millennium Villages located near Hawzien, Tigray Region, working alongside local agricultural experts and conducting training for farmers. This includes a recent initiatives, training farmers on bee keeping and honey production.
Another training was conducted by two Israeli physicians, based on a concept known as integrated pediatrics within the general context of preventive medicine.
Capital: - How does Israel rank as a trading partner with Ethiopia?
Ambassador Yaccov Amitai - The latest figures of 2006 show that Ethiopian exports to Israel were valued at slightly over 26 million USD. Imports from Israel to Ethiopia stood at about 11 million dollars. However, this doesn't give a complete picture of the actual level of investment cooperation as it does not take into account the millions of dollars being invested in Ethiopia by private and corporate Israeli investors. These are involved in a myriad of sectors; agriculture, agro-industry, dairy, food processing and others.
I can quote you however, data on the numbers of Ethiopians who have gained employment through Israeli investment activity and also on the scope of private sector investment. On the former Israel is ranked 5th and on the latter 6th, among Ethiopia's foreign partners.
There are also, several other project initiatives underway and in the pipeline.
Capital: - What of cultural exchange programs between Israel and Ethiopia?
Ambassador Yaccov Amitai - There has been quite vibrant activity in regard to cultural exchange over the last few years. Several Israeli musical groups have toured Ethiopia to wide public acclaim as well as to collaborate in experience sharing with Ethiopian artists. The beauty of this Ethio-Israeli cultural exchange is in the fact that quite a few of the Israeli artists who came to perform here originated in Ethiopia. This gives a distinctly unique flavor to bi-lateral cultural exchange. The art they produce is a fantastic blend of Ethiopian and Israeli culture. They are a living bridge between Israel and Ethiopia.
Capital:- There is in Ethiopia, a widely held misconception, fueled no doubt by selectively negative coverage of news about Ethio-Israeli's, that the Bete Israel are not at all assimilated and that life in Israel has for them, been a misery. Please comment.
Ambassador Yaccov Amital- The reality can not be any further from this misconception. Even as we speak, an Ethio- Israeli has been elected member of the Knesset (Israel's parliament) making him the second to hold this position from the 120,000 strong Ethio-Israeli community.
The Ethio- Israeli community is an intrinsic part of the greater Israeli mosaic. What we must consider is that historically, any wave of immigration that has come to Israel, never had it easy at first. The first generation will have great difficulty, followed by the second which fares better-and so on until complete assimilation develops. This is the classic immigrant story all over the world and Ethio-Israelis, like other arrivals to Israel, have experienced this dynamic. There are cultural, educational, social, languages, economic and other gaps to bridge and this naturally takes time, but it is happening.
Israel is a very multicultural, dynamic and even hectic society and it can seem at first, very difficult to assimilate into.
Ethio- Israelis are now doing much better in Israel and they are represented in a growing spectrum of sectors and occupations. There are Ethio-Israeli lawyers, doctors, military officers and also as representatives of Israel at diplomatic missions abroad.
I am of the conviction that the community is heading into an even brighter future.
Capital: - What strikes you most about Ethiopia?
Ambassador Yaccov Amitai- I would like to stress the similarities between our two countries. Both societies have opened up to their own diversities - the multicultural and multi-ethnic structures. I can well appreciate both the difficulties and the successes Ethiopia has registered in this respect, in trying to involve as many different communities as possible while at the same time, maintaining the strong sense of national unity within such diversity. This is one of the challenges that are facing Israel.
Allow me to emphasize also the ongoing, vibrant development activity underway in Ethiopia. The Addis Ababa skyline is changing before our eyes, as well as massive road building and other infrastructure works.
I must also mention something that never ceases to amaze me and this is the astounding diversity of Ethiopia's landscape and scenery. In Ethiopia, you can find for instance, in the north and east, climes that resemble the Middle East while the south is Sub-Saharan green. Again in the Semien Mts and Bale, we can find alpine characteristics.
Capital: - Concluding comments…
Ambassador Yaccov Amitai- I would like to express how happy I am with the blessed co-incidence of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the State of Israel and the first year of the new Ethiopian millennium. I warmly congratulate Ethiopia and wish the peoples of Israel and Ethiopia a future of peace and prosperity.