Likud MK Avraham Neguise
Likud MK Avraham NeguiseHezki Baruch

Likud MK and chairman of the Knesset’s Aliyah and Absorption Committee Avraham Neguise on Wednesday called for a criminal investigation into the EXPOSE clothing store in Caesarea, following reports the store had posted a racist help-wanted ad.

According to a report by Walla News, an advertisement seeking a new employee was placed on behalf of the store which included the line “Ethiopian women not wanted”.

Speaking to Arutz Sheva, Neguise said the incident once again proved that discrimination against Ethiopians exists in Israel.

“This advertisement is racist and illegal, and [the police] need to open a criminal investigation against the company and take to court those responsible. We cannot allow citizens of the State of Israel to be discriminated against because of their ethnic background.”

Neguise also praised Israel for its efforts to eradicate racism in the country.

“Last week I participated in a meeting of the ministerial committee… which authorized a plan to fight discrimination against Ethiopians. But it is also important that the program be implemented, and not left on the shelf. The Israeli government recognizes that there is racism against Ethiopians, but that [recognition] needs to lead to concrete steps [against the racism].”

“We cannot ignore the [racist help-wanted] advertisement, and the people responsible must be taken to court, so that they will understand that there is a price to pay for racism.”

“There are operating today in Israel companies that discriminate against citizens and we need to fight against them – prosecute all of the racists. The police need to take drastic measures, even invalidate the store’s business license.”

Representatives of the store in question, EXPOSE, responded to the controversy, claiming that the store itself had not posted the offensive advertisement, and that the recruitment agency responsible for it had written the anti-Ethiopian line without the store’s knowledge.

The recruitment agency which posted the advertisement, L.M., issued a statement blaming the offensive line on “human error”.