We conclude that official racism plays no part in this sensitive problem. The initial welcome given to the Black Hebrews and the offer of conversion clearly support that conclusion. The general agreement is that the difficulties stem from deep-seated religious, philosophical and political differences.
That was the rather surprising conclusion reached by a delegation of African American leaders who traveled to Israel in January 1981 to study the plight of the Original Hebrew Israelite Nation (now called the African Hebrew Israelites of Jerusalem). At the time, around 1,500 Hebrews were living in severely overcrowded apartments in three Negev towns and struggling to support themselves without the legal right to work.
As chairman of the Black Americans to Support Israel Committee (BASIC) civil rights activist Bayard Rustin led the delegation. He and five others spent 11 days in the country and held meetings with Israeli government officials — including President Yitzhak Navon, Interior Minister Yosef Burg, Foreign Affairs Minister Yitzhak Shamir and Moshe Dayan — as well as U.S. Embassy officials, representatives of American Jewish organizations, Hebrews, and others.
After the trip, the delegation produced a report with their findings and recommendations. In addition to absolving Israel of discriminating against the Hebrews based on race, the delegation acknowledged that the government faced a “very perplexing problem” — and one that demanded immediate action.
The delegation’s recommendations were to establish a clear policy regarding the Hebrews’ status in the country and, in the meantime, give them temporary work permits. The report also encouraged Israel to review its procedures at Ben Gurion airport, where immigration officials were reportedly discriminating against and even deporting African American travelers who were suspected of trying to join the community.
“This behavior on the part of Israeli officials risks being perceived as racist no matter what explanations are given,” the report said. “Beyond this, such behavior encourages anti-Israel propaganda, and creates conflict between American Jews and American Blacks.”
Thanks to Walter Naegle for sharing the BASIC report and other relevant documents from the Estate of Bayard Rustin.
