Click Here: Since the early 1950s, The Jewish Agency has assisted more than 95,000 Ethiopians with their immigration to Israel.
Our duty remains ongoing, as there are still numerous individuals in Ethiopia eagerly awaiting the opportunity to reunite with family members who have already embarked on the journey to the Jewish State. Operation Zur Israel, initiated in December 2020, is set to bring 2,000 Ethiopians from Addis Ababa and Gondar to Israel, with a primary focus on fostering family reunification in their new homeland.
The commitment to Aliyah among these Ethiopian communities is deeply rooted in historical significance. Prior to 1977, Ethiopian Jews were granted the ability to make Aliyah, until the oppressive regime of dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam led to a shift in dynamics. Subsequently, Aliyah transformed from a voluntary migration to a rescue mission, as Ethiopian Jews faced persecution for their Jewish and Zionist affiliations. Covert operations were launched to airlift these individuals to safety in Israel, and collaboration between the Government of Israel, the Mossad Institute for Intelligence and Special Operations, and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), alongside The Jewish Agency, streamlined the Aliyah process and ensured improved conditions for Ethiopian Jews.
Throughout the years, various Aliyah operations have unfolded to rescue Ethiopian Jews facing adversity. In the mid-1980s, “Operation Moses” facilitated the arrival of 8,000 Ethiopian Jews to Israel from Sudanese refugee camps. Subsequent efforts, including the pivotal “Operation Solomon” in 1991, saw tens of thousands of Ethiopian Jews airlifted to Israel within a remarkably short timeframe, showcasing a unified international effort in facilitating their safe passage to their ancestral homeland.
Despite the challenges faced by Ethiopian Jews, the commitment to their Aliyah has remained steadfast. Initiatives such as “Operation Dove’s Wings” in the early 2010s continued to ensure the successful migration of thousands from Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa. The trajectory of Ethiopian Aliyah saw a significant milestone with the closure of the Gondar center in 2013, yet the journey continued with subsequent government-led efforts to bring further waves of Ethiopian immigrants to Israel.
In November 2015, the Israeli government outlined plans to facilitate the Aliyah of up to 9,000 Ethiopians by 2020, a pledge met with prompt action by The Jewish Agency. The groundwork was laid for assisting these individuals in transitioning to their new lives in Israel, with comprehensive absorption services and supportive structures in place.
The recent approvals for additional Aliyah by the Israeli government signify an ongoing commitment to reunite Ethiopian families through initiatives like Operation Zur Israel. The successful completion of the first phase of this operation in early 2021 highlights the resolute dedication to bringing Ethiopian Jews home to Israel. Plans for the continuation of Operation Zur Israel in 2022 signal a promising tomorrow, with a continued focus on facilitating the Aliyah of thousands more Ethiopian Jews to their cherished homeland.
