The Transit Camp

Eliyahu Ben Simon and his family arrive in Israel from Morocco, are sent to a transit camp, and are shocked by the conditions there. Gershon, the camp director, and his deputy, Giora, struggle to deal with Rahamim, the lone resident who refuses to vacate the large shack he was temporarily assigned. Noam, the Indian boy, falls in love with Eliza, Eliyahu’s daughter.

After Salah starts selling sugar at his café, Matanya Boiler makes sure to stir up a feud between him and Victor, the grocery store manager. Eliyahu, who is struggling to find work, is forced to accept an offer from his Tripolitan neighbor Khalifa to work for him making alcoholic beverages, but lies to his wife and children, telling them he found a good job as a manager. Also: Mimon, Khalifa’s criminal brother, gets him involved in a shady deal.

Due to a regrettable mistake by Matanya, the Hajbi family’s shack was completely destroyed by fire. Eliyahu convinces Gershon to screen a movie at the transit camp to help the Hajbi family buy new supplies.

When Dr. Yanush, the doctor, arrives for his monthly visit to the transit camp, Rahamim and the gang try to fake injuries so they can get plenty of medicine to sell later in the month.

After a pipe that lets the children play in the water bursts, Rahamim and the gang come up with the idea of digging a pool in the transit camp. Gershon moves one of the residents to public housing, which angers the older residents.

Egyptian TV star “Laila Madar” is coming to the transit camp for an unforgettable performance. Noam is raising a snake right under Gershon and Giora’s noses. Also: Eliyahu, who’s out of work, decides to open a food stand in the transit camp.

Rahamim and the gang are organizing a bingo game at Salah’s café, and they plan to cheat to fund the opening of a new gaming club. Eliyahu is looking for a job as a teacher at a kibbutz. Also: When Ezra asks Salah to fund a photography studio for him, Salah challenges him to a bet in which he must sell photos for 50 liras within 24 hours.

The Purim celebration is in full swing, and the residents of the transit camp are competing in teams in an internal costume contest, with the winners set to represent the camp in the regional competition and stand a chance to win a year’s supply of groceries. Vahu is persuaded by his friends to steal the bottles of alcohol his father is distributing to the neighbors from his Purim gift baskets, in order to sell them at the costume contest. Also: Eugene falls into a depression after his boxing gloves tear.

Solange tells Eliyahu that she wants to leave and live with her brother in France. Sophie is being courted by Mimon Debush, which draws Victor’s vehement opposition. Also: Gershon forces Giora to look after his troubled son, Reuven.