In September, a few months following the start of the widespread, intense protests by young Ethiopian-Israelis, the government made an encouraging announcement: The Ministerial Committee for the Advancement of Ethiopian Israelis announced that it would ask the government to authorize dedicated plans from the Ministries of Education, Health and Welfare, with an investment of 300 million shekels ($77 million). It seemed to be good news that could give hope to the Ethiopian community. But the community, burned by past disappointments, sees these plans as just the opposite. To them, it’s just an attempt to redirect funds that were previously promised their community to other goals.
"The protest broke out because of police violence, after the video of cops beating the Ethiopian soldier Damas Pakada was circulated, but it's over much more than that," explains Fentahun Assefa-Dawit, the director of the Tebeka organization for the advancement of justice and equality for Ethiopians. He also serves as the chairman of representatives of Ethiopian organizations. “There’s an ongoing failure in that budgets that are authorized are not used. Money isn’t lacking, but there’s a lack of planning. If we don’t change this now, in 10 years you’ll interview me again and ask why the situation hasn’t improved.”