Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak's conversation with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has shed light on the country's efforts to alter its demographics and has revealed a disturbing undercurrent of racism within Jewish circles.
The audio recording, released last week as part of a massive tranche of files by the US Department of Justice, shows that Barak had told Russian President Vladimir Putin that Israel needs one million Russian-speaking immigrants to "absorb" - implying the ability to control and shape the population's demographic makeup.
Barak's comments highlight Israel's long history of immigration policies, particularly its preference for white Slavic peoples from Russia. Before Israel's creation in 1948 and in its early years, Eastern European Ashkenazi Jews were the primary source of immigration, as well as Sephardi Jews from North Africa and the Middle East.
However, Barak disparages Sephardi Jews, stating that their country took Jews "from North Africa, from the Arabs, from whatever." He also emphasizes the deep divisions between religious and secular Jews in Israel.
The Israeli government has actively promoted immigration into the country for decades, particularly to counterbalance the growth of Palestinian populations in occupied territories. The promotion is usually limited to those deemed desirable by the authorities - such as Americans or French.
Meanwhile, new immigrants who arrive in 2026 will be offered a zero-percent income tax rate for their first two years. This reform has been criticized for favoring wealthy and educated individuals over low-income workers.
In contrast, Ethiopian Israelis have faced deep-seated racism and exclusion within Israeli society, particularly since the mass transfer of tens of thousands from Ethiopia to Israel in the 1980s and 1990s.
The audio recording, released last week as part of a massive tranche of files by the US Department of Justice, shows that Barak had told Russian President Vladimir Putin that Israel needs one million Russian-speaking immigrants to "absorb" - implying the ability to control and shape the population's demographic makeup.
Barak's comments highlight Israel's long history of immigration policies, particularly its preference for white Slavic peoples from Russia. Before Israel's creation in 1948 and in its early years, Eastern European Ashkenazi Jews were the primary source of immigration, as well as Sephardi Jews from North Africa and the Middle East.
However, Barak disparages Sephardi Jews, stating that their country took Jews "from North Africa, from the Arabs, from whatever." He also emphasizes the deep divisions between religious and secular Jews in Israel.
The Israeli government has actively promoted immigration into the country for decades, particularly to counterbalance the growth of Palestinian populations in occupied territories. The promotion is usually limited to those deemed desirable by the authorities - such as Americans or French.
Meanwhile, new immigrants who arrive in 2026 will be offered a zero-percent income tax rate for their first two years. This reform has been criticized for favoring wealthy and educated individuals over low-income workers.
In contrast, Ethiopian Israelis have faced deep-seated racism and exclusion within Israeli society, particularly since the mass transfer of tens of thousands from Ethiopia to Israel in the 1980s and 1990s.
... how can one of the most powerful countries in the world be so racist?! I mean, I knew there were some issues with immigration policies in Israel but to hear that there's an actual plan to "absorb" a million Russian-speaking immigrants just to control their population is just disturbing 
. And what's even more shocking is that Barak talks about Sephardi Jews like they're not even part of the community 
... it's like they're invisible or something.
. And what's with this zero-percent income tax rate for new immigrants? It sounds like a pretty sweet deal if you ask me... but at the same time, I can see how it would favor those who are already wealthy and educated 
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. We need more conversations like this to help bring about real change and equality in Israel 
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. It's like they're being left behind in this whole "demographic change" conversation.
it's so heartbreaking. They're still facing racism and exclusion even today, despite being part of the country for decades. We need real change, not just talk. The Israeli government needs to listen to the marginalized communities and make some serious changes 
. i'm all for diversity and inclusivity, especially when it comes to refugees and asylum seekers... it feels like the government is playing favorites 
. and what's up with the zero-income tax rate for new immigrants? sounds like a way to prop up the wealthy elite 
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. And don't even get me started on how this plays into the whole Israeli-Palestinian conflict... it's all about who gets to define what it means to be a "true" Jew, I suppose.
. Maybe it's time for some real change in Israel...
And can we talk about how Israel's been actively promoting immigration policies that benefit specific groups (like white Slavs and Americans)? 
. Not just for the wealthy and educated Russians, but for people from all walks of life, including Ethiopian Israelis who have been marginalized for far too long.
but at the same time, it's also super interestin' how they've been promotoin' immigration policies for decades, especially to counterbalance Palestinian growth in occupied territories 
Israeli immigration policies: who benefits? 
[GIF of money pouring into a vault, with a red "X" marked through it]
Ethiopian Israelis deserve better. Racism isn't tolerated in Israel (yet) 
. I mean, who knew that some people in Jewish circles were into that kind of thing? It's like they're trying to change the demographic makeup of their country without even thinking about how it would affect others 
. I mean, who says something like that about Sephardi Jews? It's not right to generalize an entire group of people based on their culture or background.
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. The whole system is messed up. They need to open up and let more people in, not just the ones who fit their ideal demographic 
.