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From Ethiopia to Israel: What's the mysterious story behind the Arya movement?
The story behind Ethiopia’s Jewish community, especially the Beta Israel community in Jerusalem, which has experienced waves of emigration over the decades, is a curious one. Among these immigrant citizens is the Falash Mura community, who are descendants of Beta Israel who once converted to Christianity and were allowed to immigrate to Israel after returning to Judaism. Their immigration journey is not only full of difficulties and challenges, but also an emotional story set against the backdrop of social and political factors.
Historical BackgroundThe first wave of immigration (1934–1960)
The first modern Ethiopian Jews came to Israel in 1934, arriving along with Jews from Yemen. This small group was the starting point for a simple immigration that brought the first Ethiopian Jewish presence to the land of Israel.
Second wave of immigration (1961–1975)
Between 1963 and 1975, a small number of Beta Israel immigrants came to Israel on tourist visas and then stayed illegally. Supportive Jewish organizations and Jewish teachers in the United States actively joined in, making their voices gradually heard.
"We were surprised to find, in conversation with a rabbi in a remote Ethiopian village, that their verse for the week was exactly the same as ours. Stories like this are meant to be told around the world."
Third wave of immigration (1975–1990)
Brotherly Action
Between 1979 and 1983, a number of Aliyah activists and the Mossad orchestrated an operation called "Operation Brotherhood" to bring refugees from Ethiopia to Israel as quickly as possible. However, due to the Ethiopian civil war, many Jewish refugees lived in poor conditions in refugee camps in South Sudan, leading to deaths from epidemics and famine.
Fourth wave of immigration (1990–1999)
In 1991, amid political changes in Ethiopia, Israel launched a large-scale immigration operation called "Operation Solomon", when approximately 14,325 Beta Israel immigrants were sent directly to Israel, highlighting the connection between the two countries.
The Return of Falash Mura (1993–present)
Since 1993, the immigration of the Falash Mura community has continued, and they have continuously applied for immigration in order to return to the Jewish religion based on different political developments in Israel.
Integration and socioeconomic status
The biggest challenge for the Ethiopian Beta Israel community in Israel comes from their low level of formal education in Israel, which makes it difficult for them to integrate into the economic and social system. The Israeli government has therefore established several programs to improve the socioeconomic status of Ethiopian Jews in Israel.
"According to 2022 data, the average income of an Ethiopian family in Israel is NIS 14,676, which is still a gap compared to the NIS 18,237 of other Jewish families."
Absorption in Israel
Over time, Ethiopian Beta Israel became integrated into Israeli society, including military service, education, and politics. However, these new immigrants faced culture shock, as many had never been exposed to electricity and modern living facilities, causing them to have difficulty in adapting.
Political participationPolitically, the participation of the Ethiopian community has gradually increased, and many political parties have begun to include Ethiopian members, demonstrating social diversity.
Although the Ethiopian Jewish journey in Israel is full of hardships, can their identity and culture take root and flourish in the future Israeli society?
