This paper will look at the first two decades of the AHI community’s life in Israel, during which they were an illegal group without rights, “squatting” in the country. From the outset relations were marred by distrust and suspicion on each side, Israel perceiving the AHI as dangerous, apocalyptic and potentially revolutionary cult who allegedly had links with the PLO and the AHI viewing Israel as institutionally racist. 50 years since their entry however, they are a beloved minority, celebrated by the state, serving in the IDF, and engaged in their own hasbara efforts. How did this happen?
I will draw on original archive research to show that much more happened behind the scenes, and than has been told in most media reports. The story of the AHI relates to minority communities in Israel but also to the bigger picture of emerging and self-defining African and African American Jewish / “Hebrew Israelite” communities, already numbering in the millions, which some researchers have claimed will overturn the racial and social dynamics of Judaism in the present century.