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Newsletter : 9fax0108.txt
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>JN Jan. 8, 1999, Vol. 7, No. 5
Mazal's First Flight
By IsraelWire
Mazal Itao, 20, is Israel's first Ethiopian flight attendant. A few weeks ago she finished stewardess training with IsraAir Airlines and began working on domestic and international flights. Mazal stated, "The Ethiopian community is very proud of me. I hope that now more Ethiopian girls will enter this profession, which is fascinating."
45% of Ethiopian Students Lack Books and Other School Basics
By IsraelWire
According to a recent study of the student body of former
immigrants from Ethiopia, over one-half do not have a "study
corner" or set place to prepare homework assignments in their
homes. 45 percent do not have basic school supplies, including
books, notebooks and other school essentials. 40 percent of the
students do not have a working refrigerator in their home or any
means to heat their dwelling place during the winter months.
The alarming statistics were revealed in a study sponsored by the
Ministries of Education and Absorption as well as "The Joint for
Israel." The study was designed to evaluate the success of
integration into Israeli society of Ethiopian immigrants vs. the
amount of monies being allocated for social and educational
programs for that segment of the population.
The study also indicated that 78 percent of the Ethiopian students
are enrolled in state religious schools, 36 percent are in
dormitories, 60 percent are receiving additional tutoring or other
classes to asset them in raising their scholastic level and 30
percent have been labeled as exhibiting serious learning
disabilities.
Of the students between 14 and 17, 6.2 percent do not attend any
school, compared to a 3.5 percent truancy level among the general
student population of that age group. The study indicated an
unusually high number of the students move from one school to
another -- indicating that as many as 20 percent of the students
have changed schools at least once. The interim period between
schools may last as long as several months -- another contributory
factor to the ailing scholastic achievement of the Ethiopian
student body nationwide.
Only 20 percent of the Ethiopian students receive a matriculation diploma, compared to 50 percent of the "veteran" Israeli student body.
The study indicated the Ethiopian students are less likely than
their veteran Israeli counterparts to be involved in violence, both
as the victim or aggressor, but 43 percent are still listed as
falling victim to their Israeli counterparts, primarily from
"natives" or immigrants from other countries.
Despite the less than optimistic statistics, the conclusion of the
report indicates that some of the statistics aside, it appears the
efforts of the system over the past years has begun to yield fruit.
Israel Installing Security Cameras in Al Aksa Mosque
By IsraelWire
Police are moving ahead with plans to install closed circuit
television cameras in and around the Al Aksa Mosque on the Temple
Mount of Jerusalem's Old City. Plans for the improved security were
discussed in the past as part of Israel's preparedness for the
millennium and an anticipated 4 million tourists.
Following this week's arrest of 14 members of a US-based Christian
suicide cult, the police and other security agencies felt compelled
to move ahead with the installation of the cameras. According to
police spokeswoman Linda Menuchin, the new cameras will be
installed in the coming months.
The media is reporting that other security precautions, such as
metal detectors, will also be installed but this was not confirmed by
the police spokeswoman. Security officials have already
installed metal detectors at the entrances to the Kotel (Western
Wall) as well as other security devices.
As reported previously, the Moslem Wakf Authority has already
expressed its opposition to the plan, which it insists will
compromise the Wakf's authority of the religious site.
Police suspect that three members of the "Concerned Christians"
cult were planning violent acts in Jerusalem's walled Old City.
Police have created a special task force to deal with the possible
threat posed by Christian extremists, who may try to live out
apocalyptic fantasies, such as mass suicides or attacks on holy
shrines.
The Temple Mount was liberated from Jordanian occupation in the
June 1967 Six Day War. The Mount is the holiest site in the Jewish
religion, on which the First and Second Temples were built.
Following the '67 victory, the government of Israel saw fit to turn
control of the Mount to the Moslem Wakf, which to this date
continues its practices of religious discrimination, barring Jewish
prayer on the site.
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