Ethiopian Males Account for the Double Acts of Murder and Suicide Committed by Males in Ethiopian Families Postmigration to Israel

Abstract

This qualitative research turns to 24 male members of the Ethiopian Jewish community living in Israel to probe their feelings and thoughts concerning the changes that have occurred to their traditions and community postmigration, and gain insight into the disproportionate rise in domestic murder and subsequent suicide committed by males in their community. During semistructured interviews conducted in Amharit, the interviewees opposed the dominant discourse that cast murder and suicide as pathologies resulting from Ethiopian males’ failure to assimilate. In a resistant discourse, they revealed the oppression and destruction of a cultural heritage and identity and their struggles to regain their family and community. Paradoxically, these men perceived the Israeli democratic system of law and order as discriminating against men, and as depriving the Ethiopian community of the basic right to choose its own traditions and spiritual leaders (Kessim and Shmagaleh) who helped resolving marital disputes. Fearing court restraining orders, arrest, and imprisonment in the midst of a cultural and social void, Ethiopian males felt isolated and alienated with no community support. In a last resistant effort to regain their dignity while protesting against the oppression of the Israeli system of law and social order that discriminated against men and a dominant culture that had destroyed their community, Ethiopian males killed their spouse and committed suicide.