Painted in red: refusal to take blood from Ethiopian MK

By order of the Knesset chairman MK Yuli (Yoel) Edelstein, Knesset Director Rone Plot stopped a short time ago (Wednesday) blood drive donation at the Knesset. MDA team who conducted the blood donation was asked to leave the building.

It happened after an incident in which MDA personnel refused to accept blood donation from Deputy Knesset Speaker MK Pnina Tamnu-Shata of Ethiopian origin. This is in accordance with the provisions of Article 35 Ministry of Health, which prohibits the use of blood from Africa.

Knesset Speaker MK Edelstein spoke to MK Tamnu-Shata and expressed shock and displeasure of the serious incident which occurred in the Knesset. "I thought it was behind us, but now it turns out I was wrong. This is an unacceptable phenomenon that has no place in these parts."

Even the former chairman Reuven Rivlin commented: "The refusal to allow my friend MK Pnina Tamnu-Shata to donate blood at the Knesset is infuriating. It is time to understand Ethiopian immigrants is an integral part of Israeli society, and all those legends woven around their origin, the medical threat or another should condemn and eradicate. This distorted reference to our fellow Ethiopians led to racism and alienation among us, once and for all there is to eradicate. "

Minister Uri Ariel responded: "I was shocked to hear that someone thinks that the blood of MK Tamnu Shata, as well as the rest of Ethiopians, is less red than the blood of all of us. Just like we need to save every person so must we accept Ethiopian blood, who serve in the army and are partners to all debts in Israel. Is there anyone who thinks that Ethiopians are good enough to volunteer for MDA, but not good enough to donate blood?"

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!