We did not need European Zionism to teach us to long for Jerusalem because Zion lived in our prayers before modern political Zionism acquired a congress, a flag, or a diplomatic office.<\/p>\n
Yet now that we have reached the Jewish state, served in its military, joined its religious institutions, and voted for its political parties, we are still too often invited to demonstrate loyalty without being trusted to exercise power.<\/p>\n
This history does not mean every Ethiopian Israeli holds the same political beliefs<\/a>. No community is politically uniform. But it helps explain why many feel a natural affinity with religious Zionism and the Israeli right.<\/p>\n It has to do with a reverence for Jewish tradition, an attachment to Jerusalem, a belief in Jewish sovereignty, a respect for military service, and an understanding that Jewish survival requires strength.<\/p>\n On October 27, Israelis will democratically elect the 120 members of the Knesset, Israel\u2019s parliament. Israelis do not vote directly for congressional-style district representatives. They vote for national party lists, and parliamentary seats are distributed proportionally. The parties represent Jewish, Arab, religious, secular, liberal, and conservative constituencies.<\/p>\n A candidate\u2019s position on a party list can therefore determine whether an internal-primary victory produces actual power.<\/p>\n That distinction explains why Ethiopian Israeli Gabi Gebre Worku\u2019s victory matters. Worku entered the Likud\u2019s 2026 primaries alongside ministers and lawmakers. He traveled, organized, addressed party members, and asked voters to judge his work.<\/p>\n In the direct contest for the position reserved for a new immigrant, he defeated six other candidates and received 3,159 votes. He won, but was then placed at No. 43.<\/p>\n That position is outside the Likud\u2019s practical electoral range. Worku competed and prevailed. Leaving him at No. 43 would indicate to Ethiopian Likud members that their participation is welcome, but their democratic decision is expendable.<\/p>\n Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should use one of his leadership-controlled positions or any remaining lawful mechanism to move Worku up so that he will be situated among the top 23 candidates.<\/p>\n This would not be charity or tokenism; it would respect a candidate who entered the Likud\u2019s democratic process and won.<\/p>\n Another possibility has raised hope. An Israeli publication reported advanced discussions between Otzma Yehudit leader Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Yaakov, an Ethiopian-Israeli right-wing strategist and Channel 14 panelist, about a possible reserved place on the party\u2019s Knesset list.<\/p>\n Channel 14\u2019s Bezalel Yaakov considers joining Ben-Gvir\u2019s party<\/p>\n No final commitment has been confirmed. Yaakov represents a young, Hebrew-speaking and unapologetically Zionist Ethiopian generation. His inclusion would be encouraging. But hope must not again become a photograph, a campaign slogan, then silence once the final list is submitted.<\/p>\n Ethiopian Israeli representation in the Knesset is important. Nevertheless, none of us has led Israel at the highest levels or headed its mission to the United Nations, a consequential diplomatic appointment.<\/p>\n I have asked why Ethiopian Israelis are rarely invited to speak seriously about Israel, Zionism, or the Jewish future. Why has no qualified Ethiopian Israeli been seriously considered to become Israel\u2019s permanent representative to the United Nations?<\/p>\nETHIOPIAN JEWS take part in a prayer of the Sigd holiday on the Armon Hanatziv Promenade overlooking Jerusalem, in November 2025. (credit: YONATAN SINDEL\/FLASH90)<\/p>\n