Britannica
Sources used in this answer
Which writers described the experiences of immigrants from North African and Middle Eastern countries?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Hebrew literature
S.Y. Agnon.
In the context of Hebrew literature, several writers have explored the experiences of immigrants from North African and Middle Eastern countries, often referred to as Mizrahi Jews.
Key authors who have documented these experiences include:
- Shimon Ballas: His novel Ha-Ma‘abarah (1964; "The Transit Camp") is noted as one of the first works to recount the absorption of Jewish immigrants from Iraq from the immigrant's own perspective.1
- Sami Michael: In his novel Viḳtoryah (1993; Victoria), he traced the history of a Baghdadi family living in Israel.1
- Albert Swissa: He addressed these themes in his novel ‘Aḳud (1990; "The Bound One").1
- Poets: The poets Ronny Someck, Erez Biṭon, and Maya Bejerano have also contributed to this body of literature by describing the experiences of immigrants from these regions.1
- Yehuda Burla: An earlier writer who notably focused on Jewish communities of Middle Eastern descent.2
These works provide significant insight into the cultural integration, struggles, and histories of these immigrant populations within Israeli society.13