When Endalkew Yemani Tesma left Ethiopia in 2005, he entered a perilous journey that would change his life forever. He traversed multiple countries, navigating dangers that few can imagine, ultimately reaching Israel in 2008. Yet, upon arrival, he found himself in a prolonged struggle, stuck in a system that left him and his family without a permanent status for nearly two decades.
The Journey to Israel
Endalkew’s journey was marked by harrowing experiences, including a dangerous crossing through Sudan and Libya, and ultimately the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. During his time in the Sinai, he fell into the hands of traffickers who subjected him to severe abuse—an all-too-common ordeal for many refugees taking this treacherous route. Human rights organizations have documented the abuse faced by refugees in this area, highlighting the dire conditions that push individuals like Yemani Tesma to seek safety elsewhere.
After claiming asylum in Israel, Yemani Tesma received a 2(a)5 visa, a temporary status allowing him to remain in the country while his claim was processed. Settling in Jerusalem, he established a family with a fellow Ethiopian asylum seeker. Their children have grown up in Israel, speaking Hebrew as their first language and learning both Israeli history and Jewish traditions, despite not being Jewish themselves.
Life in Limbo
Yemani Tesma supports his six children through his work in a local hummus restaurant. While the job pays the bills, it does not provide for anything beyond basic needs. Commenting on his situation, he recalled a moment when Israel’s National Security Minister dined at his workplace but chose not to deport him. This incident highlighted the precarious position Yemani Tesma and his family occupy in society.
Recently, however, a ruling by Israel’s High Court has cast a shadow over their sense of security. The court’s decision permits the revocation of the group protection that Yemani Tesma and other Ethiopian asylum seekers had relied upon. Though the family has lived in Jerusalem for years, they now face the looming threat of deportation. To fight this potential removal, an organization initially established to assist Jews escaping persecution is taking the Israeli government to court.
Challenges and Legal Battles
The plight of Ethiopian asylum seekers in Israel is exacerbated by a dismal approval rate for asylum applications, reported to be about 0.1%. Sigal Rozen, a public policy coordinator for an Israeli NGO, emphasizes the challenges within the bureaucracy that leads to almost all applications being denied. The situation is dire, as thousands of asylum seekers, including those from Ethiopia, remain vulnerable with pending applications.
Ethiopians, in particular, are left without any protective measures that could prevent their deportation. In January 2024, Israel’s then-Interior Minister withdrew group protection granted due to civil unrest in Ethiopia, arguing that conditions in the country had stabilized. This decision has faced legal challenges, with organizations attempting to uphold the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits returning individuals to places where they face danger.
As the situation deteriorates, many affected families are left wondering about their future in Israel. Yemani Tesma’s children, raised in Israeli culture and society, are caught in a web of uncertainty about their identities and rights, leading them to question whether their family’s struggle has been worth it. As the possibilities of deportation loom, the reality of their long journey to safety continues to haunt them.