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Ethiopian Jewry

The origins of the Jewish community in Ethiopia are shrouded in mystery, but date back to ancient times and to stories of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon nearly 2500 years ago. For many years the Jews there were called "Falashas". But they see this as a derogatory term since it means This derogatory term, which means "stranger" and "exiled" in the ancient Ethiopian language of Ge'ez, reflected their lowly status in society. They prefer to call themselves "Beta Yisrael", House of Israel, or simple, Ethiopian Jews. They have a rich tradition of Jewish culture and law put have been persecuted for many hundreds of years. Modern western Jews first became aware of their forgotten cousins due to reports by Christian Missions working in Ethiopia. In 1867, Prof. Joseph HaLevi was the first European Jew to visit the Beta Yisrael and became a major advocate. Others followed and took up their cause.

Early help

The first effort from Israel to help the Jews of Ethiopia began in 1954 when an emissary of the Jewish Agency quietly set up a few schools in the community there. This work was fraught with risk, the Government being easy to offend. Nevertheless, two years later immigration to Israel began, though it was very small. By the 1980s the number of Ethiopian Jews who had managed to come to Israel was still in its hundreds.

Operation 'Moses'

On 4th January 1985, the story of Operation Moses hit the headlines. With the growing famine crises in Ethiopia, drastic and immediate action was taken by the Israelis to prevent the total demise of the Beta Yisrael. In only a few months, 7395 Ethiopian Jews had been safely airlifted to Israel. Unfortunately, when the news of the operation was leaked to the world press the Belgian airline which had been providing the necessary aircraft, fearful of political recriminations, withdrew its services. The airlift ended though thousands of Jews were still in Ethiopia living under appalling conditions of famine, illness and a Government that refused to recognized their Jewishness. A short time later another operation, 'Queen of Sheba' was attempted by the Israelis. Some 800 Jews were rescued before the authorities stopped the operation. Further help would have to wait, but the Israelis were on constant look out for a fresh opportunity to help their cousins...

Operation 'Solomon'

The skies of Addis Ababa were dotted with Israeli planes for two days in May 1991 as thousands of Ethiopian Jews were successfully airlifted out of their war-torn, famine-stricken country to safety. For 30 hours, from Friday afternoon 24th to Saturday afternoon 25th May, 14,500 people crammed onto 34 planes which made a total of 40 journeys. This was the biggest modern evacuation since the Vietnam war and cost the Israeli Government $11 million. This is in addition to the unofficial $35 million given to Ethiopia to allow the operation to take place! To insure that there were no last minute delays or difficulties, the Israelis distributed large packs of American cigarettes, together with large sums of dollars, to Ethiopian bureaucrats. There were 300 Israeli soldiers in Addis Ababa to protect the immigrants. When they left, they gave away bottles of mineral water and army rations to the starved Ethiopian soldiers who had not caused them any trouble despite the war that raged on all around.

The smoothness of the operation itself was due in no small measure to the calm and dignity of the passengers, who arrived with no baggage - only their identity documents stuffed in plastic bags. On Saturday, May 25, a world record was set when 1069 people made the three and a half flight in one jumbo jet - the largest number of passengers ever to travel in one plane. Israeli pilots commented on the silence and sense of their passengers who had been reluctant to ask for water or even move about, not wanting to disturb or hinder the operation. Immigrant Kabad Okala spoke for many when he summed up the intensity of his feelings for his new country:

"I feel as if I am taking part in the exodus from Egypt. But unlike the Children of Israel who suffered until they entered the Holy Land, we are not suffering. Your government is looking after us. We love Israel and we thank you for receiving us this way."

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