Ethiopian Israeli Community Threatens to Leave Bennett's Party Over Representation

The Ethiopian Israeli community's leadership within the "Achdut" party, headed by Naftali Bennett, is threatening to leave the party if their chief of staff, Alale Adamsu, is not placed on the Knesset list. Adamsu, a former ambassador and Knesset member, stated that thousands of community members volunteered for nearly a year, organizing events and building a database, only to be met with uncertainty regarding their representation.

Adamsu described the situation as "a slap in the face," expressing disappointment after a year of dedicated, unpaid work. He highlighted the community's efforts, including national conferences attended by Bennett and the creation of a database of 50,000 community members, all on a voluntary basis. The community seeks political partnership to advance their agenda, which includes facilitating the immigration of Ethiopian Jews and addressing issues like employment, education, violence, and discrimination.

Adamsu revealed that he was informed by Bennett's advisor, Nir Nowak, that a "realistic place" on the Knesset list could not be guaranteed for the upcoming election, though he was assured of future involvement after the next government is formed. The community's leadership, comprising about 120 members and supported by approximately 4,500 activists across 15 local branches, aims to secure between 65,000 and 75,000 votes from the Ethiopian Israeli electorate.

Kiros Teferi, the head of the community's headquarters in Be'er Sheva, echoed Adamsu's sentiments, stating that thousands of people who worked for a year are demanding representation. He warned that if Adamsu is not given a place on the list, the community will not support Bennett, and some activists are already creating content to undermine Bennett's chances. Teferi emphasized that the door remains open if Adamsu is included, but the community feels neglected and is prepared to act if their demands are not met.

The "Achdut" party leadership declined to comment on the report.