Relations between the Israel police and Ethiopian Israelis: A comparative study with police-minority relations worldwide

This study examines the complex relationship between the Israel police and the Ethiopian-Israeli community, comparing it to police-minority relations in other countries. The research is based on historical, sociological, and psychological analysis of the relationship’s development from the 1980s to the present. It explores the historical roots of existing tensions, the impacts of institutional and personal racism, and the unique challenges faced by the Ethiopian-Israeli community in the context of law enforcement. Through international comparison, the study identifies similar and different patterns in police-minority relations across countries, analyzing how global experience can contribute to solving challenges in Israel. It emphasizes the uniqueness of the Israeli case, particularly the complexity arising from the shared Jewish identity of the Ethiopian community and the majority in Israel. Finally, the study proposes a comprehensive set of solutions to improve relations between the police and the Ethiopian-Israeli community, emphasizing the utilization of the community’s uniqueness as a national asset.