Israel is a young democracy rich with a history that towers over its age. As the country matures, like other democracies it now faces issues of growth via cultural and religious diversification. Waves of Russian Non-Jewish immigrants, African-American settlers from Chicago, and a surplus of South Asian labor have forever changed the face of Israel.

The new nation swelling with so much culture now has the hard task of adapting or imploding. I myself am an African who was given the opportunity to see Israel in a unique light. Initially, I was invited to Israel by a cousin who happened to be stationed working at the Bahai Center in Haifa.

As a native of Cameroon and a citizen of the United States, the country puzzled me at first. Israel contains so many varied people from all over the world and yet it seemed cultural cliques were the norm.

The dramatic scenic Bahai Gardens in Haifa, Israel; credit Shai Pal

Seeing Israel was as if I got a glimpse into America before the melting pot. Before, people had been given the opportunity to fully assimilate. Walking the Kotel in Jerusalem or the Tayelit in Haifa, I viewed Israel from two varying perspectives.

As an American, I marveled at the mall of Jerusalem and at the modernity of most of the country. The realization that most buildings contained concrete bomb shelters was especially unnerving. Being American, (the most prized of foreigners) I was able to travel about with ambivalence.

Perceived as being a Black American I could avoid being searched before entering shopping areas or have a passing glance given to my bags as others were more thoroughly scanned.

As an African however, I recoiled at the exploitation of labor and the sub-par conditions in which illegals lived within. After speaking with a West-African man nicknamed “Amadou”, I learned of the many refugees who trek long distances for the slim hope of one day finding a safe place to call home.

Throughout my experience within Israel, I met tourists, illegal immigrants and Aliyah arrive. All of whom felt a connection and a sense of belonging to the land.

Teaming unwashed masses lay claim to a few square miles of land. As I walked the shopping area with a friend, he pointed and remarked, “This is not Israel, this is Africa.” I thought his words amusing, but upon surveying the area, I couldn’t help but feel he was correct.

A protester in Haifa; credit Ken Ngwa