There is sufficient
information on a permanent presence of European Roma within the
boundaries of the State of Israel. But the information on the same
ethnic group or individuals in the Palestinian Authority is absent.
The first group of immigrants
from a mixed Romani-Jewish background from
Current thesis contains the
information that relates to 18 Romani families who immigrated to this
country during last 15 years from the countries of former Eastern Bloc.
THE FORMS OF ETHNICITY
1.
Racial:
Predominantly Minor-Asian type.
There is no significant
anthropological difference between European Roma and local Jewish or
Arab inhabitants of this land. The phenomenon of so-called “Romany
appearance” is vitually unknown among the people born in
2.
Cultural: Romanipen
of various forms.
There are representatives of
the following sub-ethnic Romany groups: Russia Roma, Calderas, Crimean,
Servo, Xaladitka Roma, Erliya, Vlahs.
3.
Linguistic: Basic
Romanes is preserved.
The first most used language
within this small community is Russian, then Russian dialect of
Romanes. Communication with other population is held in Hebrew and
Russian.
4.
Economic: Virtualy
absent.
Social communication among
local Roma does not reach the level of forming of economical
infrastructure, despite the fact that certain Roma residing in
5.
Religious:
Pluralism.
There are representatives of
three main Abrahamic religions within the community: Christians,
Muslims, Jews. But their main identity is ethnic (Romani) rather than
religious or based on citizenship.
6.
Political: Openly
ignored.
No interest in political
participation stressed by the stresses of immigrant`s life and
Israeli-Palestinian controversy. No perspectives for internal Romany
political life due to the complexity of non-Jewish minority issue in
the Jewish state and a small number of Roma people in the country.
THE LIFE OF ETHNICITY
1.
Lifestyle: Similar
to the one in the country of origin.
All European Roma living in
2.
History:
Ethno-genesis rather then assimilation.
History of the community
started in June 2003 right during the publication of advertisements
“Rodas Romen?” in Russian and Romanian newspapers published in
·
In
December 2004 the first known Romani wedding was held
in town Rishon-Le-Tzion.
3.
Official
institutions: Intention to deal only with Roma organizations.
No interest in creating of
officially registered Israeli Romany NGO due to the complexity of
non-Jewish minority issue in the Jewish state and the lack of
understanding on why it is needed in this country. But the development
of strong ties with international Roma organizations is already in
process.
4. Education: Amare chavore na bistren so von Roma (from Romani: Our children do not forget that they are Roma)
Roma children dispersed all
over the country receive basic ethnic education at home in their
families. And the issue of obtaining of needed educational materials
from
ROMA IN
The number of Roma families in
the towns of
Tel-Aviv – 4
Haifa – 3
Kiryat-Gat – 2
Afula – 1
Beer-Sheva – 1
Herzliya – 1
Hevron – 1
Katzrin – 1
Kiryat-Shemona – 1
Migdal Ha-Emek – 1
Mitzpe-Ramon – 1
Rishon-Le-Tzion – 1
RESUME
The further development of
Israeli Romany community is the matter of proper self-organization,
keeping ties with Roma in the countries of Exodus and the participation
in international Romany movement.
CONTACT INFORMATION
For any questions related to
European Roma in the state of
Mr. Valery Novoselsky
P.O.Box 3331
Kiryat-Shemona
ISRAEL 11019
Phone/fax:
+972-4-6904085
E-mail: romale@zahav.net.il
Web: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roma_Daily_News/