Yemeni Jews Defy Israel Over Qat Ban: “We’ll Return to Yemen Without It”

Yemeni journalist Wael al-Qubati has revealed an ongoing cultural standoff between Yemeni Jewish communities in Israel and the Israeli authorities over the use of qat — a traditional stimulant plant deeply rooted in Yemeni culture.

According to al-Qubati, the community strongly resisted efforts by Israeli authorities to ban qat, warning they would return to Yemen en masse if their cultural practices were restricted.

Qat is not just a habit, they argue — it is a pillar of identity, symbolizing their ties to their heritage and homeland.

Faced with growing pressure and threats of cultural alienation, Israeli authorities reportedly backed down and chose to tolerate qat consumption as a pragmatic concession.

This rare episode exposes the complexity of cultural integration in Israel and underscores how deeply rooted traditions can become a form of cultural resistance and negotiation within strict state systems.

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