Illustration
Photo: Shutterstock
'Jews only' job search site fined NIS 40K for discrimination
Avoda Ivrit website fined NIS 40K for promoting the exclusive hiring of Jews and warning against hiring 'to those defined as my enemy,' particulaly Arabs; 'There is no place for discrimination in the Israeli work force,' says State Commissioner. 'We as a society must denounce and rebuke any sign of discrimination or segregation.'
The Jerusalem Magistrates Court ruled that the website Avoda Ivrit has been discriminatory in its practices, in its efforts to exclusively promote the employment of Jews, excluding members of any and all other populations. The website was fined NIS 40,000 plus legal fees for their actions. The lawsuit was filed by the Israel Religious Action Center and the Mossawa Center Arab Citizen Rights in Israel against the Avoda Ivrit site's operator, Erez Liberman. The original plaintiffs were later joined by the Welfare and Social Services Ministry's Equal Employment Opportunities Department.
The suit stated that Avoda Ivrit publishes ads by organizations and employers who only hire Jews, in an effort to encourage this practice. The website additionally posted content that promotes Jews-only employment, as well as content that details the "dangers" in hiring "non-allies."
The website also includes posts from employers who rely on it, in which they describe "the good feeling that comes from hiring Jews" and "the great satisfaction in providing for and hiring my brethren and not giving money to those defined as my enemy." Their comments also warn against hiring non-Jews, and particularly against hiring Arabs.
Illustration (Photo: Shutterstock)
Judge Einat Abram Muller ruled in favor of the plaintiffs and stated, "The service provided in the 'Avoda Ivrit Job Board' constitutes religion-or-nationality-based discrimination." She further clarified that "Service given in the public sphere to Jews alone while being withheld from non-Jews (as the service provider carries out actions to confirm that the service is only offered to Jews), constitutes discrimination."
Screenshot from website, with comments on 'joy of providing for Jewish families'
The original lawsuit requested that the website also be removed from the internet, in addition to receiving monetary compensation. However, after the court clarified that removing it from the web is not within its jurisdiction, this request was removed from the complaint.
"This verdict clearly states that there is no place for discrimination in the Israeli work force," said State Commissioner and Attorney Miriam Kabeha. "We as a society must denounce and rebuke any sign of discrimination or segregation in the work force. A diverse, inclusive work force with equality for all is in all of our interests, and so I congratulate all laborers and the Magistrates' Court for this important verdict.
