00.01.00
Russians scrounging
Russian immigrants in Jerusalem market collect their food from the days leftovers. For many new Soviet arrivals the Promised Land has been a bitter disappointment. With over 200,000 Soviets already in Israel their presence is stretching the countrys resources to the limit.
00.01.21
Russian signs
Signs of the Soviet presence are changing the face of Israel. When the expected million Soviets are finally here Russian will be Israels second language. But the new immigrants, often relegated to working in dingy back-room jobs, are questioning why they ever came at all. One Soviet Olim, as theyre known, commits suicide each month.
00.01.48
Set up Rafael Kil,student
Rafael Kil lost his good friend Egor Jacobson who committed suicide three weeks ago.
00.01.57
Rafael Kil
Every Russian feels that he is out of life when he doesnt have a job, not just out of life, noone needs you and little changes, everybody caught in Israel, Israel propagations, they were telling us, we need us, we need us, come, here was noone with us.
02.15
Karmiel In the Soviet Union they had homes but here in Karmiel, in Northern Israel, many live in this tent village in the local park. They come because they can no longer afford the high cost of living in Israel. Each day more tents are pitched by families with nowhere else to go. For their first year in Israel they get a government subsidy but when that runs out theyre on their own.
02.46
Set/up Bassia Gutner
Bassia Gutner is 77. She left the Soviet Union for a better life. She doesnt understand why the government paid for her air ticket to Israel but now cannot give her a roof over her head.
02.56
Sync: Bassia Gutner interview
The mayor came and asked me to go to the absorption office. He wrote a letter to the officials there asking them to help me. But when I went to the office the officials ignored the mayors letter. He threw the letter at me and literally threw me from his office. It was most unpleasant.
03.28
Gutner cont.
It reminds me of the 1930s in the Soviet Union when my mother and brother went into exile and I, a young girl, was thrown from my school and house in only the clothes I was wearing. I stood in the street crying and crying.
03.20
Caged canary
Confronted with unsympathetic officials Bassia wonders whether Israel is rally an improvement on her previous life.
Sync. Bassia Gutner
Street Sweeper When the Soviets do find work its often filling positions previously taken by Palestinians. Since the Gulf war most Palestinians have been barred from working outside the territories.
04.08
Avi Pazner
Over 50% of the new Soviet arrivals are well qualified and left good jobs to come to Israel. The Government believes they must be prepared to accept a change in their jobs.
Israeli Gov. Spokesman What do you do with 5000 dentists?
We have in this immigration which has come 1000s of dentists who have come. What do you do with 1000s of dentists? You have to find them other jobs, you have to re-train them, for example. Here we have hundreds of mine engineers who have come form the Soviet Union - 100s. What do you do with them here. We have no mines.
04.36
Watchmen
At Beersheba University Professor Valentin works as the night watchman. In the Soviet Union he was the chief scientist in Tashkent. He fought hard to attain his former position despite the prejudice he suffered as a Jew.Now he thinks the Soviet immigrants are not being given a fair chance.
05.00
Photo of Valentin
Film of Valentin
Sync: Professor Valentin
The worst is the feeling that you are not needed. Here I always feel this. And as for Israelis accommodating the scientists -
I have a feeling they dont have any plans to employ us. Were serious scientists who could go into positions where we could be useful and increase the countrys efficiency.
05.29
Cleaning lady Emilia Klugman
Today, shouted at for cleaning the university too slowly, biologist Emilia Klugman tells friends and relatives back home not to come to Israel. But there are Israelis who see the influx of highly qualified Soviets as a potential Godsend, and they believe Israel has an obligation to them.
05.56
Professor Hekman Brannover Beersheba University We have been fighting for immigration from Russia for more than 30 years and now suddenly there is no possibility to absorb them and I think those who have been marching for years and years with slogans let my people go should realize when the people are going and even more than they could dream their responsibility is even greater than before, because before it was simple - just shout the slogan. Now you are supposed to become involved, involved financially, involved as managers. It could make Israel potentially a kind of Japan or Korea because Israel is not possessing any natural resources like oil or coal or whatever and the only treasure that Israel possesses and now more than ever before is intellectual potential. The skills and talents of people whether its in physics or in chemistry or in medicine or in engineering.
06.55
LS JerusalemRussian Orthodox church
Beyond the difficulties they face finding work many immigrants are Jews only on paper. In the Soviet Union, unable to freely practise the Jewish faith, many adopted Christianity. They joined the Russian Orthodox Church which did not suffer as severe restrictions as the synagogues.
07.15
Leeca at church Leeca, a Christian, arrived in Israel a year and a half ago. With a Jewish grandmother she qualified for the Olim programme, but as a Christian she feels ostracised from Israeli society.
07.25
interview: Leeca Ollisa In Russia I never go to the synagogue, never. I was very open in Russian church, free yes if you want to be Christian, be Christian yes, but dont tell about this, dont be open because its not good for Olim. Something else, this country opened the door for Jewish people, yes I have one part of blood Jewish but in USSR somebody called me Jews, Jews, Jews, but in Israel if I tell Im Christian they will hit me also maybe.
08.17
SYNC: Leeca Ollisa
Barmitzvah
As a musician, Leeca occasionally works for a band who are tonight hired to play at a wealthy American barmitzvah. It coincides with Jerusalems reunification day festivities. Both occasions are holy to the devout Israelis.
08.45
Parade
On Jerusalem day Israelis celebrate the reunification of their capital following the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza in 1967. The Israelis remain adamant that Jerusalem will never again be divided regardless of any settlement that may be reached with the Palestinians.
09.01
Morgenstern family
The Morgenstern family, and their pets, arrived in Israel two weeks ago. They share this cramped two roomed flat until they find somewhere larger. The cost of housing in Israel will soon eat up their money. But they have another option. There is cheaper subsidised housing available on the outskirts of Jerusalem.
09.21
Building project in the territories
Huge building projects blossom around Jerusalem.
Most Soviet immigrants are city people and not prepared to move into dangerous settlements at the heart of the Palestinian territories. Instead they help the Israelis fill apartments technically in the Palestinian territories. After years of development Israeli Jerusalem has expanded well into the Palestinian lands.
09.40
Israeli Jerusalem-Occupied Jerusalem
Since 1967 the occupied Palestinian parts of Jerusalem have been encroached upon by the building of Israeli suburbs - effectively increasing the size of Israeli West Jerusalem.
09.52
Zoom into Gilo suburb
One of the earliest developments was at Gilo. Many Soviets who came to live here have no understanding of the complex local politics.
Houses with Israeli flags
Although many Soviets willingly accept their controversial role in securing a Jewish presence in the territories, others question the part they play.
Sergei set up Sergei is a writer who came to Gilo a year ago. He suspects many immigrants are being quietly manipulated.
SYNC. Sergei Makharov
When I came I didnt know what the green line was. I knew that there were some Palestinian terrorists and I knew that there was an East Jerusalem but what was included in this East Jerusalem I didnt know. So I came without any knowing even about it. I didnt know that this is an Occupied taken territory. And after that somebody told me that you know where you are not in your territory so I was amazed you know.
10.58 Palestinians The Palestinians are angered by Israeli expansion. The see the Soviet immigration policy as and extension of the Israeli military machine, working towards the permanent confiscation of their lands. But the Israeli government maintains that East Jerusalem never was and never will be a Palestinian city.
Sync: Avi PaznerIsraeli
Gov. spokesman Whatever solution is found, Jerusalem is, will be and will remain the capital of the state of Israel. It doesnt matter whether we build in East Jerusalem or West Jerusalem or in the centre of Jerusalem or in the outskirts of Jerusalem. Jerusalem is one and it doesnt matter now, it doesnt matter anymore. Jerusalem has been united in 1967 and it doesnt matter now. Jerusalem is one. What the Palestinians are asking, is how long it will take, at the current rate of expansion for Jerusalem to cover the entire West Bank?
Dusk in Jerusalem
Most Israelis do not question the immigration policy. But whether or not the Soviets continue to arrive will surely depend on how the Israelis respond to the difficulties the Soviet Olim currently face.
12.07 ENDS
Russians scrounging
Russian immigrants in Jerusalem market collect their food from the days leftovers. For many new Soviet arrivals the Promised Land has been a bitter disappointment. With over 200,000 Soviets already in Israel their presence is stretching the countrys resources to the limit.
00.01.21
Russian signs
Signs of the Soviet presence are changing the face of Israel. When the expected million Soviets are finally here Russian will be Israels second language. But the new immigrants, often relegated to working in dingy back-room jobs, are questioning why they ever came at all. One Soviet Olim, as theyre known, commits suicide each month.
00.01.48
Set up Rafael Kil,student
Rafael Kil lost his good friend Egor Jacobson who committed suicide three weeks ago.
00.01.57
Rafael Kil
Every Russian feels that he is out of life when he doesnt have a job, not just out of life, noone needs you and little changes, everybody caught in Israel, Israel propagations, they were telling us, we need us, we need us, come, here was noone with us.
02.15
Karmiel In the Soviet Union they had homes but here in Karmiel, in Northern Israel, many live in this tent village in the local park. They come because they can no longer afford the high cost of living in Israel. Each day more tents are pitched by families with nowhere else to go. For their first year in Israel they get a government subsidy but when that runs out theyre on their own.
02.46
Set/up Bassia Gutner
Bassia Gutner is 77. She left the Soviet Union for a better life. She doesnt understand why the government paid for her air ticket to Israel but now cannot give her a roof over her head.
02.56
Sync: Bassia Gutner interview
The mayor came and asked me to go to the absorption office. He wrote a letter to the officials there asking them to help me. But when I went to the office the officials ignored the mayors letter. He threw the letter at me and literally threw me from his office. It was most unpleasant.
03.28
Gutner cont.
It reminds me of the 1930s in the Soviet Union when my mother and brother went into exile and I, a young girl, was thrown from my school and house in only the clothes I was wearing. I stood in the street crying and crying.
03.20
Caged canary
Confronted with unsympathetic officials Bassia wonders whether Israel is rally an improvement on her previous life.
Sync. Bassia Gutner
Street Sweeper When the Soviets do find work its often filling positions previously taken by Palestinians. Since the Gulf war most Palestinians have been barred from working outside the territories.
04.08
Avi Pazner
Over 50% of the new Soviet arrivals are well qualified and left good jobs to come to Israel. The Government believes they must be prepared to accept a change in their jobs.
Israeli Gov. Spokesman What do you do with 5000 dentists?
We have in this immigration which has come 1000s of dentists who have come. What do you do with 1000s of dentists? You have to find them other jobs, you have to re-train them, for example. Here we have hundreds of mine engineers who have come form the Soviet Union - 100s. What do you do with them here. We have no mines.
04.36
Watchmen
At Beersheba University Professor Valentin works as the night watchman. In the Soviet Union he was the chief scientist in Tashkent. He fought hard to attain his former position despite the prejudice he suffered as a Jew.Now he thinks the Soviet immigrants are not being given a fair chance.
05.00
Photo of Valentin
Film of Valentin
Sync: Professor Valentin
The worst is the feeling that you are not needed. Here I always feel this. And as for Israelis accommodating the scientists -
I have a feeling they dont have any plans to employ us. Were serious scientists who could go into positions where we could be useful and increase the countrys efficiency.
05.29
Cleaning lady Emilia Klugman
Today, shouted at for cleaning the university too slowly, biologist Emilia Klugman tells friends and relatives back home not to come to Israel. But there are Israelis who see the influx of highly qualified Soviets as a potential Godsend, and they believe Israel has an obligation to them.
05.56
Professor Hekman Brannover Beersheba University We have been fighting for immigration from Russia for more than 30 years and now suddenly there is no possibility to absorb them and I think those who have been marching for years and years with slogans let my people go should realize when the people are going and even more than they could dream their responsibility is even greater than before, because before it was simple - just shout the slogan. Now you are supposed to become involved, involved financially, involved as managers. It could make Israel potentially a kind of Japan or Korea because Israel is not possessing any natural resources like oil or coal or whatever and the only treasure that Israel possesses and now more than ever before is intellectual potential. The skills and talents of people whether its in physics or in chemistry or in medicine or in engineering.
06.55
LS JerusalemRussian Orthodox church
Beyond the difficulties they face finding work many immigrants are Jews only on paper. In the Soviet Union, unable to freely practise the Jewish faith, many adopted Christianity. They joined the Russian Orthodox Church which did not suffer as severe restrictions as the synagogues.
07.15
Leeca at church Leeca, a Christian, arrived in Israel a year and a half ago. With a Jewish grandmother she qualified for the Olim programme, but as a Christian she feels ostracised from Israeli society.
07.25
interview: Leeca Ollisa In Russia I never go to the synagogue, never. I was very open in Russian church, free yes if you want to be Christian, be Christian yes, but dont tell about this, dont be open because its not good for Olim. Something else, this country opened the door for Jewish people, yes I have one part of blood Jewish but in USSR somebody called me Jews, Jews, Jews, but in Israel if I tell Im Christian they will hit me also maybe.
08.17
SYNC: Leeca Ollisa
Barmitzvah
As a musician, Leeca occasionally works for a band who are tonight hired to play at a wealthy American barmitzvah. It coincides with Jerusalems reunification day festivities. Both occasions are holy to the devout Israelis.
08.45
Parade
On Jerusalem day Israelis celebrate the reunification of their capital following the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza in 1967. The Israelis remain adamant that Jerusalem will never again be divided regardless of any settlement that may be reached with the Palestinians.
09.01
Morgenstern family
The Morgenstern family, and their pets, arrived in Israel two weeks ago. They share this cramped two roomed flat until they find somewhere larger. The cost of housing in Israel will soon eat up their money. But they have another option. There is cheaper subsidised housing available on the outskirts of Jerusalem.
09.21
Building project in the territories
Huge building projects blossom around Jerusalem.
Most Soviet immigrants are city people and not prepared to move into dangerous settlements at the heart of the Palestinian territories. Instead they help the Israelis fill apartments technically in the Palestinian territories. After years of development Israeli Jerusalem has expanded well into the Palestinian lands.
09.40
Israeli Jerusalem-Occupied Jerusalem
Since 1967 the occupied Palestinian parts of Jerusalem have been encroached upon by the building of Israeli suburbs - effectively increasing the size of Israeli West Jerusalem.
09.52
Zoom into Gilo suburb
One of the earliest developments was at Gilo. Many Soviets who came to live here have no understanding of the complex local politics.
Houses with Israeli flags
Although many Soviets willingly accept their controversial role in securing a Jewish presence in the territories, others question the part they play.
Sergei set up Sergei is a writer who came to Gilo a year ago. He suspects many immigrants are being quietly manipulated.
SYNC. Sergei Makharov
When I came I didnt know what the green line was. I knew that there were some Palestinian terrorists and I knew that there was an East Jerusalem but what was included in this East Jerusalem I didnt know. So I came without any knowing even about it. I didnt know that this is an Occupied taken territory. And after that somebody told me that you know where you are not in your territory so I was amazed you know.
10.58 Palestinians The Palestinians are angered by Israeli expansion. The see the Soviet immigration policy as and extension of the Israeli military machine, working towards the permanent confiscation of their lands. But the Israeli government maintains that East Jerusalem never was and never will be a Palestinian city.
Sync: Avi PaznerIsraeli
Gov. spokesman Whatever solution is found, Jerusalem is, will be and will remain the capital of the state of Israel. It doesnt matter whether we build in East Jerusalem or West Jerusalem or in the centre of Jerusalem or in the outskirts of Jerusalem. Jerusalem is one and it doesnt matter now, it doesnt matter anymore. Jerusalem has been united in 1967 and it doesnt matter now. Jerusalem is one. What the Palestinians are asking, is how long it will take, at the current rate of expansion for Jerusalem to cover the entire West Bank?
Dusk in Jerusalem
Most Israelis do not question the immigration policy. But whether or not the Soviets continue to arrive will surely depend on how the Israelis respond to the difficulties the Soviet Olim currently face.
12.07 ENDS