Sigd of Belonging, Reality of Exclusion
A new study reveals a gap between the sense of belonging among Ethiopian Israelis during wartime and their experience of exclusion by state institutions, especially the police. The community lost 28 soldiers and police officers in the 'Swords of Iron' war, yet trust in the police and government remains low. The case of Haymanot Kasau exemplifies the lack of systemic treatment.
Ahead of the Sigd holiday 2026, an opinion piece presents a new study on a deep gap in the experience of belonging among Ethiopian Israelis. On one hand, the community mobilizes for the state and loses its sons at a high rate – 28 soldiers and police officers and three civilians fell in the 'Swords of Iron' war. On the other hand, trust in civilian institutions, especially the police, is very low. A study conducted in 2025 through in-depth interviews reveals that seniority in the country and language proficiency do not improve trust, and that the problem lies in institutional exclusion. Interviewees describe a phenomenon of 'dual policing': excessive enforcement against young members of the community alongside neglect of crimes in which they are victims. The article points to the disappearance of Haymanot Kasau, a nine-year-old girl who vanished from an absorption center in Safed in February 2024, as an example of systemic neglect. The conclusion: adopting the Sigd holiday is an important symbolic step, but it does not replace real trust in the state.