Belaynesh Zevadia said she is a minority in every sense of the word – a black, Jewish, Israeli, Ethiopian woman living in the South.
But Zevadia is also deputy consul general of Israel to the southwest United States and the first Ethiopian woman in the Israeli Diplomatic Service.
Tigers for Israel, a political student organization, hosted Zevadia for a discussion with students and faculty about the current state of Israel.
Zevadia has served as an Israeli delegate to the United Nations, a counselor in the Religious Affairs Bureau at the Israeli Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem and the consul of Israel to the Midwest United States.
Zevadia entertained questions concerning her experience with the United Nations, the development of Israeli political parties, Palestinian conflict and the role of Israel in today’s culture.
She said she was born in Ethiopia but emigrated to Israel – against her wishes – after finishing high school because her parents forced her.
“Because we are Jews, we have to be there,” Zevadia said.
But Zevadia said she was supported by the Israeli government, which later influenced her decision to join the foreign ministry.
“It’s not easy to be an Israeli diplomat,” Zevadia said. “When it comes time to vote, everyone is against us, except the United States – period.”
She discussed Israeli authorities’ recent attempts to create a buffer zone between northern Gaza and mainland Israel.
“The Palestinian authorities, they don’t recognize Israel, they’re not going to stop terror, they are not coming to negotiate with us,” Zevadia said.
She said she is not comfortable with the decision because no formal agreements have been signed. But she said because Palestinian authorities are unwilling to negotiate, “it’s the government’s best plan for Israeli citizens.”
Students asked about Israel’s role in the world and the state of the economy in the midst of the constant conflict with Palestine.
Zevadia said Israel’s beneficial influences are being felt around the world, but people don’t know about it because the media only focuses on the conflict.
“When you see Israel in the media, you only hear about the conflict,” Zevadia said. “We’re trying to bring it beyond the conflict. Israel has a lot to offer.”
She said people often do not realize that Israel is one of the world’s leaders in technology and is responsible for companies many Americans depend on, such as Intel, Motorola and Tevah, one of the world’s fastest growing biomedical companies.
Zevadia said when she is finished with her duties in the United States, she will move back to her apartment in Jerusalem with her family.
She told the students to visit Israel and know their Jewish heritage.
“Be whoever you are,” Zevadia offered as advice to the students. “Be supportive of Israel. You are all soldiers of Israel.”
Charles Isbell, Hebrew language and Jewish studies professor, said he agreed that students need to support Israel.
“Regardless of how you feel about Israel, the rest of the world links you to Israel,” Isbell said. “If people are unhappy with something someone does in Israel, they may bomb a synagogue in Paris. If Israel suffers, we’re going to suffer.”
 
Contact Rebekah Allen at [email protected]