Ethiopian Jews Arrive in Israel as Part of Operation Rock

First flight from Ethiopia in Operation Rock of Israel land took place, Thursday, expecting 100 more members of the Falash Mura community to arrive on Friday, reaching a total of 2,000 by the end of January 2021.

Approximately 316 members of the Falash Mura community arrived in Israel on Thursday morning together with Aliyah Minister Pnina Tamano –Shata.

They were greeted by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz, Jewish Agency Chairman Isaac Herzog and other dignitaries.

Nonetheless, activists for Falash Mura immigration have condemned Netanyahu and the government over the fact that more than 7,000 members still in Ethiopia despite promises by the prime minister, affirming that all those waiting would be brought to Israel by the end of 2020.

The activists noted that Netanyahu himself met with Ethiopian religious leaders and families, on February 20 this year, just two weeks before the election, promising he would bring all remaining members of the community to Israel.

“This is a moment that transcends the controversies and debates, a moment of saving lives and most importantly, a moment of national duty that reminds us who we are as a people and that we are privileged to return home after thousands of years of exile,” Tamano Shat said.

“You have waited a long time to realize this dream, and today it is coming true,” Netanyahu said.

On his part, Michal Cotler-Wunsh, chair of the Ethiopians in Israel Knesset Caucus, mentioned that it was “a great honor and responsibility to welcome the daughters and sons who have waited for years to be reunited with their parents.”

“The country had a duty to implement and expedite the decision to bring all those waiting in Ethiopia to Israel, particularly in the face of an evolving humanitarian crisis that includes malnutrition and danger,” Wunsh added.

In the same vein, approximately 7,000 members are still remaining in Ethiopia, in Addis Ababa and Gondar, who were included in the immigration parameters of government resolution 716 from 2015.

Although all members were supposed to have been brought to Israel by the end of 2020, but due to political opposition, only 2,500 have arrived since the resolution was passed.