Somali-Americans, say no to hatred
Anti-Semitism reflects badly on our culture and gets us no closer to a Middle East solution
I am a Somali-American who is proud to make Minnesota my home — along with thousands in our community. I have served my native country as Somalia’s First Secretary to the Somali Mission to the United Nations.
I am a friend of Palestine. I am a friend of Israel. I am a friend of the Muslim community. I am a friend of the Jewish community.
At times I have opposed policies of the Israeli government. Indeed, I voted in favor of the November 2012 United Nations General Assembly resolution recognizing Palestinian statehood, which Israel and the United States opposed.
At the same time, I remind our community that Israel was the first nation at the U.N. to support Somali admission into the organization. Israeli nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) have long extended assistance to Somali refugees in East African refugee camps. More recently, an Israeli judge granted asylum to Somalis living in Tel Aviv. By contrast, Saudi Arabia continues to deport Somalis to the dangerous conditions of the civil war.
Israel is a country with which we have important disagreements, but Israel is also a nation that has been supportive of the Somali people, support we deeply appreciate.
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