Dr Neguise – embodiment of Balfour Declaration vision

NICOLA MILTZ

As the only Ethiopian-born member of the Israeli Knesset today, the Land of Milk and Honey was then only a far-off place that existed only in his wildest dreams and imagination.

Today MK (Member of the Knesset) Dr Neguise, is the very embodiment of the vision of the Balfour Declaration – a Jew, and an immigrant living his dream in the Promised Land.

Neguise also embodies why calling Israel an apartheid state is the worst kind of insult and untruth.

“Using this word [apartheid] in the context of describing Israel, is an affront to all humanity. My personal life… proves that Israel is the exact opposite of this word… it is also insulting to South African history and the justified struggle of South Africa against a true apartheid regime.”

This week Neguise will be in South Africa, speaking at The Academy of Jewish Thought & Learning in Johannesburg. He is a guest speaker in the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration celebration.

“The Balfour Declaration is meaningful to me,” he explains to the SA Jewish Report. “It is one of the historical factors that opened the way for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in the land of Israel and the creation of the State of Israel.

“To have Jews gathering from the four corners of the earth as it is written in the Torah. This State is now my home… I am now a proud citizen of Israel… Today 6,5 million Jewish people are citizens of the State of Israel because of the Balfour Declaration.”

Joshua Gavronsky of The Academy said: “Dr Neguise is a true representative of the effect of the Balfour Declaration. An oleh from Ethiopia, only through the culmination of what the Balfour Declaration represents, has MK Dr Neguise been given the opportunity to go from shepherd to Shepherd.

“He is a true hero of Israel and the story of the Jewish people,” says Gavronsky. “This is true for all inhabitants of the State of Israel and our global return to Zion since the founding of the state.”

While Neguise continues to have an intense love for his country of birth, it is his unwavering commitment to the State of Israel and to the welfare of Ethiopian Jews in Israel and other immigrants, that defines him. As chairman of the committee for immigration, absorption and diaspora affairs, he focuses on social issues such as helping new immigrants integrate into Israeli society and continues to champion the aliya of all Ethiopian Jews.

To date there are 142 000 Ethiopian Jews in Israel of whom 52 000 were born in Israel, he said. Immigration is continuing with 1 300 new arrivals from Ethiopia this year.

Recalling those first few days after his arrival in 1985, he says: “It was the fulfilment of a dream,” and his steadfast advice to new immigrants is to “make an effort”.

“I have a formula,” he said. “Opportunity and personal effort will equal achievement and success. The Israeli government offers the opportunity in all areas, it is then up to the immigrant to put in the effort.” 

Patience he says is crucial. “When you transfer from a country of birth there are new challenges in all aspects of life, be patient and put in the effort,” he said.

The passion-driven politician and activist is grateful for the opportunities afforded him in Israel and is particularly proud of his academic achievements, holding five degrees including a PhD in education.

But in his role as chairman of the caucus for Israel-Africa Relations, which he established, he is instrumental in trying to help foster ties between the African continent and Israel.

He has accompanied Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders to several African countries in a bid to build relationships and strengthen ties, as well as to promote not only a solar-powered vision for the continent, but also Israeli water, agricultural, medical and green energy technology and investments, which he and other leaders believe can play a helpful, transformative role by uplifting the lives of millions of people on the continent, the relationships being mutually beneficial, he said for both parties.

“The reality is, Israel is a light unto the nations… repairing the world… Israel is helping the African people… and is going to Africa in a big way.”

Echoing Netanyahu’s speech at the Economic Community of West African States summit in Monrovia earlier this year, he said: “Israel is coming back to Africa,” adding: “Africa is coming back to Israel.”

During a recent talk for The Institute for the Study of Global Anti-Semitism and Policy, he said the use of the word apartheid to describe Israel was an insult.

“The BDS movement is based on the premise that Israel is similar to South Africa in the apartheid era. If indeed one wants to believe that the current reality in Israel is comparable to apartheid South Africa, then, I’m sorry to say their long-time struggle was for nothing and their leader, Nelson Mandela, was in prison for nothing… the word apartheid has nothing to do with the reality in Israel.”

He said despite on the ground efforts by pro-BDS organisations, there were heads of states from around the world who were “flocking” to Israel and “actively pursuing” the strengthening of ties with Israel.

“We have to be united in order to fight BDS and work together to overcome these challenges. Anti-Semitism is a problem for all humanity – because it is against humanity.

“My proudest accomplishment is my personal story of coming to the State of Israel,” he said.

“I am happy to be a role model to my community and other immigrants… I grew up as a shepherd in Ethiopia. I immigrated to Israel 32 years ago. I received an equal opportunity for education. I have five degrees and I am now a lawmaker. I am one of the millions who settled here successfully.” This is why the Balfour Declaration is meaningful to him.