The controversy has exposed just how raw sentiments are about the history of relations between Mizrahi Jews, from the Middle East and North Africa, and those from Europe, known as Ashkenazim. They eventually found their political savior in the Likud Party’s Menachem Begin — even though he was of Polish Jewish descent. The series leans on transcripts from meetings of the Jewish Agency — the country’s main immigration facilitator — as well as officials’ correspondence and personal diaries. Even Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has chimed in, promising to expand access to the documents brought to light in the series. An Israeli city has vowed to change a street named after an official quoted in the series making offensive remarks against Mizrahim.

Source: The North Africa Journal April 18, 2018 00:22 UTC