Mizrahi Jews

Mizrahi Jews are Jewish communities originating from the Middle East and North Africa (as opposed to Ashkenazi Jews of European descent). In the context of Israeli society, they have been described as occupying a distinct position in the country’s ethnic hierarchy, historically excluded from mainstream Ashkenazi-led institutions and national politics.

Claims that use this term

• Israeli radio’s nationalizing mission excluded and stereotyped Mizrahi Jews.
• Mizrahi Jews excluded from national politics built local power bases
• Mizrahi Jews occupy a not-quite-white middle rung in Israel’s racial hierarchy
• Israeli state policy situated Mizrahi Jews physically and ideologically between Jew and Arab.
• Zionist scholarship studied Mizrahi Jews only as objects until absorbing them into its plans.
• Zionist ambivalence toward Mizrahi Jews structurally echoed Christian ambivalence toward the Jews.