We Look Like the Enemy: The Hidden Story of Israel's Jews from Arab Lands

About this book

Ethnic bias against Middle Eastern Jews within Israel has far-reaching implications for the whole region. Middle Eastern Jews from Egypt Morocco Iraq Yemen and other Arab or Muslim lands"Mizrahis"make up nearly half of Israels population. Yet European or "Ashkenazi" Jews have historically disparaged them for looking like Arabs speaking Arabic and bringing with them what was viewed as a "backward" Middle Eastern culture. Journalist Rachel Shabi who was born in Israel to Iraqi Jews and grew up in England returned to investigate the subtle discrimination and tense relations that still exist between Mizrahi and Ashkenazi Jews in Israel. She combines historical research her own familys story and the heartfelt oral history of several other Mizrahis to make We Look Like the Enemy a stunning unforgettable book.