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First Member of Black Hebrews Inducted into IDF

(Ha'aretz) Nir Hasson - The first member of the Black Hebrew community to enlist in the IDF, Uriahu Butler, 18, was inducted into the army Thursday. "This is an historic day of great joy," said Ben Ami (Carter) Ben Israel, founder of the community. "Until now, other people sent their kids to protect us; now it's time for us to pay our debt." The 2,500-strong community, whose full name is "The Original African Hebrew Israelite Nation of Jerusalem," came to Dimona in the Negev in 1969. At the beginning of this year, the interior minister granted them residency, which does not carry mandatory military service. "But for us enlistment is mandatory," said Butler's father, Avraham. By next March, some 70 boys and girls from the community are due to enlist.
2004-07-30 00:00:00
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