The Claim: "When Israel was being formed, Ashkenazi Jews had most of the power in Israel and looked down upon the Mizrahi Oriental Jews. So when the Mizrahi came to Israel, the Zionists stole their babies and gave them to Ashkenazi Jews because of white supremacism."

1. Introduction

The claim suggests a historical narrative where Ashkenazi Jews, who were predominantly in positions of power during the formation of Israel, looked down upon Mizrahi Jews and allegedly engaged in the systematic theft of their babies. This assertion intertwines themes of racial hierarchy and systemic discrimination within the early Israeli state. The claim raises significant questions about the treatment of Mizrahi Jews in Israel and the controversial Yemenite Children Affair, which involved the disappearance of many children from Mizrahi families in the 1950s.

2. What We Know

• Yemenite Children Affair: This refers to the disappearance of primarily Yemenite Jewish babies and toddlers in Israel from 1948 to 1954. Estimates suggest that around 1,000 to 5,000 children were affected, with many families believing their children were abducted and given to Ashkenazi families for adoption 46.
• Mizrahi and Ashkenazi Demographics: In the early years of Israel, Mizrahi Jews constituted a significant portion of the Jewish population, with around 450,000 Mizrahi Jews immigrating compared to 260,000 Ashkenazi Jews 2. Despite being the majority, Mizrahi Jews faced socioeconomic challenges and discrimination 28.
• Socioeconomic Disparities: Historical accounts indicate that Mizrahi Jews experienced systemic inequality, often being marginalized in favor of Ashkenazi Jews, who held more power in the political and cultural spheres of the new state 710.
• Cultural Tensions: There were cultural biases against Mizrahi Jews, with some Ashkenazi Jews viewing them as "backward" due to their different cultural practices 7. This cultural divide contributed to ongoing tensions within Israeli society.

3. Analysis

The claim involves complex historical events and social dynamics that require careful examination of the sources.

• Credibility of Sources:

  • The New York Times and BBC are reputable news organizations that have reported on the Yemenite Children Affair, providing a journalistic perspective on the allegations of child abduction 67. However, as with any media outlet, potential biases in framing the narrative should be considered.
  • Academic sources, such as the UW Stroum Center for Jewish Studies, provide a more scholarly examination of the events and their implications, which may lend additional credibility to the historical context 1.
  • Wikipedia entries can serve as starting points for information but should be approached with caution due to the potential for inaccuracies and lack of peer review 45.

• Methodology and Evidence: The claim that Ashkenazi Jews "stole" Mizrahi babies suggests a coordinated effort based on racial supremacy. While there is documented evidence of child disappearances, the motivations behind these actions are complex and may not solely stem from racial ideologies. The historical context of the early Israeli state, including the chaos of immigration and the nascent government's policies, complicates the narrative of intentional theft based on white supremacy.

• Conflicts of Interest: Some sources, particularly those advocating for Mizrahi rights, may have inherent biases that could influence their portrayal of events. For example, advocacy groups may emphasize the narrative of victimization to highlight ongoing discrimination, which is valid but may not encompass the full historical complexity.

4. Conclusion

Verdict: Mostly True

The claim that Ashkenazi Jews held significant power and looked down upon Mizrahi Jews during the formation of Israel is supported by historical evidence of socioeconomic disparities and cultural tensions between these groups. The Yemenite Children Affair, which involved the disappearance of many children from Mizrahi families, adds a layer of complexity to the assertion that these children were systematically stolen due to racial ideologies. While there is credible evidence of child disappearances, the motivations behind these actions are multifaceted and cannot be solely attributed to white supremacist beliefs.

However, the narrative of intentional theft lacks definitive proof of a coordinated effort based on racial supremacy, which introduces uncertainty into the claim. The historical context surrounding the early Israeli state, including the chaos of immigration and the policies of the nascent government, complicates the understanding of these events.

Readers should remain aware of the limitations in the available evidence and the potential biases of sources discussing this sensitive topic. It is essential to critically evaluate information and consider multiple perspectives when examining historical claims.

5. Sources

1. Remembering the thousands of children who disappeared in the "Yemenite Babies Affair" - UW Stroum Center for Jewish Studies. Link
2. The Mizrahi-Ashkenazi Divide in Israeli Elections - Open Textbook. Link
3. The Affair - The Yemenite, Mizrahi and Balkan Children Affair - Edut Amram. Link
4. Yemenite Children Affair - Wikipedia. Link
5. Mizrahi Jews - Wikipedia. Link
6. The Disappeared Children of Israel - The New York Times. Link
7. Missing babies: Israel's Yemenite children affair - BBC. Link
8. Mizrahi Jews in Israel - Wikipedia. Link
9. Mizrahi Jews renew calls for justice over stolen babies - Al Jazeera. Link
10. Does Israel still discriminate against Mizrahi Jews? - The Jerusalem Post. Link