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PRES-10/9
A plan to establish a Jewish school in the city of Asmara.
PRES-10/10
President Yitzhak Ben-Zvi’s position on the question of the origin of the Jews of Ethiopia and the proper attitude of Jewry and the State of Israel to their fate.
PRES-10/10
The negative attitude of Israel’s consul in Addis Ababa, Hanan Bar-On, to the Ethiopian Jews
PRES-10/11
Discusses Prof. Norman Bentwich’s activity in Ethiopia and the chances of establishing a vocational school for Jews.
MFA -440/9
A review of efforts to assist the Ethiopian Jews following the failure of a plan to establish a school and reports on the difficult situation of the community; Bentwich’s mission to Emperor Haile Selassie. Describes the emperor’s positive attitude to the expansion of education among the Jews and to the idea of a small group of young Jews immigrating to Israel.
6. Yona Bugala, Addis Ababa, to Haim Ben-Asher, Eilat; August 16, 1962
PRES-10/11
The negative atmosphere among the Jews in Ethiopia following reports from young people who had reached Israel about the rabbinate’s attitude towards immigrants from Ethiopia
MFA-3406/18
The question of the Jewish Ethiopians (Falashas) is a complex and delicate one. They live in a hostile environment and any attempt to improve their situation arouses the envy of their neighbours and the concern of the authorities. Previous attempts were unsuccessful and most of the young people who returned from study in Israel did not want to return to life in the villages. The work of Jewish Agency emissaries also ended in disappointment. Suggests establishing a committee to coordinate efforts and to proceed with caution.
MFA-3406/18
The writer, a medical doctor from Israel, describes his work among the Jews in Gondar and his relationship with the local governor.
MFA-4485/2
The requirement of the rabbinate that an immigrant from Ethiopia applying to marry should convert to Judaism in a symbolic ceremony.
MFA-4175/24
An appeal to Avriel to arrange financial aid for a plan to settle Ethiopian Jews near the Sudanese border.
G-7031/7
A request to bring the question of the Jewish status of the Ethiopian Jews before the Chief Rabbinate Council. Ovadia expresses concern about the deterioration of the debate on religion and state in Israel (the Major Shalit affair) and allegations of racism against the rabbinate.
G-7031/7
“The Falashas are undoubtedly from the tribe of Dan.”
A-4328/2
A report on a conversation with Yehuda Dominitz of the Immigration Department of the Jewish Agency, on the number of Jews in Ethiopia and the assessment by the Mossad, the Institute for Intelligence and Special Operations, that conditions existed making possible the emigration of several thousand Jews to Israel; the decision of the Ministerial Committee for Security Affairs regarding the rescue of the “Falashas” (Ethiopian) Jews, and a report by Dominitz on the joint action plan prepared by the Mossad and the Jewish Agency following the decision.
MFA-6911/5
Foreign Minister Moshe Dayan’s comments on arms sales to Ethiopia in an interview with Swiss television.
MFA-7237/15
A letter (translated from Amharic) forwarded to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs describing the reaction of the Jews in Addis Ababa to the news about the ending of the Aliyah (immigration) operation to Israel following the statement by Foreign Minister Dayan.
MFA-9292/1
The plan, written in collaboration with Baruch Tegegne, was the first to propose the immigration of Ethiopian Jews via Sudan
MFA-7237/15
Efforts are being made to renew the emigration of the Jews (Falashas) from Ethiopia.
A-4328/2
The news about torture and kidnapping of Jews in Ethiopia is exaggerated. Ethiopian Jews suffer as a result of the general situation in Ethiopia and not because they are Jews.
A-4328/2
Report on Prime Minister Menachem Begin’s conversation with representatives of Ethiopian immigrants in Israel, in which he explained that there is no problem of anti-Jewish policy in Ethiopia. Public activity may be seen as a provocation by the Ethiopian authorities and therefore he seeks to avoid it
MFA-7237/15
Prime Minister Begin’s meeting with Lenhoff and senior representatives of American Jewry on Israel’s activities to help the Ethiopian Jews
MFA-8720/12
Mokadi describes a joint trip to Denver, Colorado, with the head of the American Association for Ethiopian Jews, Prof. Howard Lenhoff, and the reaction of Jewish leaders and the general public to Lenhoff’s statements. In general he “behaved well” but criticized those handling the issue of aliyah in Israel.
A-4328/2
Ramati reports on the activity regarding the Ethiopian Jews since September 1979. After it was decided to hold an open campaign providing information on the subject to friendly governments and Jewish bodies, a coordination committee of Jewish organizations was established in New York. The head of the community, Yona Bugala, has been taking part in the campaign in the United States. Discussions were held on sending emissaries to encourage the Ethiopian Jews to leave for the Sudan and Ethiopian Jews living in Israel are joining the activists in the field.
MFA-9292/1
Data on the number of immigrants from Ethiopia
MFA-8720/13
Following the operation of the escape route through Sudan, describes the treatment of Jews in the refugee camps in Sudan, the decrease in the flow of people leaving Ethiopia and its causes and an unsuccessful effort to obtain official exit visas with the assistance of various countries, the Red Cross and the Ethiopian Church. An attempt is being made to limit the activities of the members of the American Association for Ethiopian Jews, which are harmful to relations between Israel and American Jewry.
MFA-8720/11
Ariel reports that the Canadian Association for Ethiopian Jews has decided to break its promise to maintain confidentiality and intends to hold rallies and publish articles in the press. The Canadian Jewish leadership is unable to withstand their pressure. Details about Israel’s operations in the field and its failures may be exposed and Israel may be accused of racism within the Jewish community and by the public. Ariel proposes a renewed appeal by the Prime Minister to the community leadership.
A-4328/3
The reasons for Sudan’s opposition to the exit of refugees in general and the Jews in particular. Contacts with Sudanese officials in the matter are under consideration
A-4328/3
Begin asks Reagan to talk to Sudanese President Numeiry during their scheduled meeting and convince him to allow the Jews from Ethiopia to leave Sudan
Appendix
Translation of the letter into Hebrew, from Menachem Begin, the Sixth Prime Minister, A Selection of Documents from his Life, edited by Arie Naor and Arnon Lamfromm, Israel State Archives, 2014, p. 522
A-4328/3
A verbal message from the US embassy to the Prime Minister: the Americans think it is a mistake to talk to Numeiry about the fate of the Ethiopian Jews in Sudan. This may result in highlighting a problem that is currently swallowed up in the general problem of refugees in Sudan, and stopping the steady trickle of Jews leaving Sudan
MFA-8720/9
The 60 day grace period agreed upon with the AAEJ is about to expire. The organization is ready to refrain from action if the Israeli government proves that it is bringing 200-300 Ethiopian Jews to Israel per month. The organization is collecting money for rescue operations. One of the leaders, Steve Bauman, said that he met with figures in the Sudanese government who told him that they would allow Ethiopian Jews to leave Sudan, but not for Israel. The intervention of the AAEJ in the matter must be stopped
A 4328/3
The official reply to the Prime Minister’s request regarding the Ethiopian Jews. During Foreign Minister Yitzhak Shamir’s visit to Washington, it was explained to him why American intervention with President Numeiry could endanger the matter.
A-4328/3
A report on the deterioration in the security situation in Sudan, violent demonstrations and the burning of public buildings, closure of universities and schools throughout the country
MFA-9292/1
A conversation with French activist Dr. Haddad about the rescue of the Jews who came from Ethiopia to Sudan and the need to preserve secrecy so as not to endanger the operation
A-4238/3
Yitzhak, who reached Israel via the Sudan in 1981, describes the attitude of the authorities in Ethiopia to the Jewish community and the restrictions on religious and educational activity. He asks the Administration to pressure the Ethiopian government to improve relations with the Jews and to allow emigration to Israel.
A-4328/3
Instructions for Gilboa’s meetings with representatives of Jewish organizations in the United States.
A-4328/3
A meeting with Jewish leaders who claim that there is a correlation between pressure on their part and the number of Ethiopian Jews reaching Israel. Navon hinted that the war in Lebanon was affecting Israel’s ability to assist the emigration of Ethiopian Jews. The expanding operation of the AAEJ was also discussed. Navon concludes that it is no longer possible to avoid passing on information to Diaspora Jewry
Now that Israelis are allowed to visit Ethiopia without restriction, the head of the Mossad does not rule out political pressure on Ethiopia to allow the Jews to leave. But unlike Ethiopia, the sensitivity regarding Sudan, as a Muslim country, is high, especially now when there is a challenge to the stability of Numeiry’s rule
G-7031/8
A report on the visit of a “Reuters” reporter to the Jewish villages in Ethiopia. The reporter, Bernard Edinger, was impressed with the villagers’ attachment to Judaism and to the Land of Israel. Personal security is better than during the rule of the emperor. The authorities are in favour of religious freedom but are opposed to ties with foreign bodies
G-7031/5
A discussion on the establishment of the public council and its functions; the possibility of contacts with the authorities in Ethiopia about allowing the Jews to emigrate.
Appendix: Handwritten minutes of the meeting
A-4328/3
Proposals for various steps by Jewish leaders, members of Congress and the State Department to convince the Ethiopian government to ease the cultural and material situation of the Ethiopian Jews without at this stage bringing up the possibility of their emigration. Activity should focus on Ethiopia itself.
The authorities in Ethiopia maintain close supervision of the Jews. The desire to fill the state coffers with foreign currency is probably the reason for opening up the area where they live to tourism. Therefore, one should not expect the borders to be opened for emigration. Ways must be found to enable legal emigration, such as family reunification.
G-7031/8
Berhani expresses his anger at the publication of lists of Jews from Ethiopia who allegedly died in refugee camps in Sudan, and claims that the information in them is inaccurate. He wonders what the motives are for spreading these reports
G-7031/5
Knesset member Ora Namir describes her trip to Ethiopia and her meetings with Ethiopian Jews. She concludes from her visit that in the long term it is not possible to act without coordination with the authorities. Ephraim Halevi said that the Mossad had renewed the movement of Jews through Khartoum and that an attempt would be made to institutionalize exit through a European country. There is no information confirming claims about starvation in the refugee camps and the death of hundreds of people
G-7031/11
Summary of a meeting on June 19, 1983: the current escape route has run its course, the United States is viewed as the major enemy of the regime in Ethiopia and therefore cannot serve as a mediator on the issue of the Ethiopian Jews, but other western countries can help. Ethiopia’s readiness for discreet talks must be tested by an Israeli or Jewish body. There should be pressure for family reunification and an atmosphere of public urgency
G-7031/11
A report on the arrest and release of Ferede Aklum in Kenya
G-7038/21
A conversation with Congressman Howard Wolpe on his return from Ethiopia: Mengistu and the Foreign Minister are ready to deal with family reunification discreetly and asked for a list. Bar-Ner replied that Israel would not release names until it was sure that this would not endanger Ethiopian Jews. Wolpe talked with Mengistu about detainees who had tried to escape to Israel and freedom of religion and Hebrew studies. According to him, the Ethiopian government is sensitive to the politicization of the hunger crisis and it is undesirable to offer it food aid in exchange for releasing Jews
G-7031/6
After examining the advantages and disadvantages of severing relations with the AAEJ, it was decided to demand that the organization stop its operations on the ground in Ethiopia and the neighbouring countries. Any financial help to finance rescue operations on behalf of the association must be stopped. Israel will not oppose political and public activity on behalf of the Ethiopian Jews which does not endanger their safety
G-7031/6
The participants pointed to the urgency of dealing with the emigration of Ethiopian Jews in view of the situation in Ethiopia and the dangers of the journey to Sudan. Zimna Berhani presented possible solutions.
A-4285/4
A review by Ephraim Halevi of the activities of the Mossad to bring the Ethiopian Jews to Israel. At an early stage they concluded that the Jews could not be brought directly from Ethiopia and found alternative solutions
MFA-8971/21
A historical overview of the situation of the Ethiopian Jews, the state of the community in Ethiopia at the time of writing and the rescue and absorption efforts in Israel (written by Danny Kutner, a cadet in the Diaspora Department)
Ephraim Halevi’s reports on the deterioration of the situation in Sudan. There are 14 thousand Jews in the camps, another operation can be held at the end of August, Halevi is going to the United States to activate American Jewry to put pressure on the Administration to pressure on Sudan
The head of the Mossad reports on the situation in Sudan, on high infant mortality in the camps and on an effort to send medical aid through the International Organization for Migration. The Prime Minister is in favour of carrying out the air evacuation plan
MFA-8746/9
Unrest among Ethiopian immigrants due to rumours about the crisis in the refugee camps in Sudan and in Gondar province in Ethiopia. The representatives call on the Israeli government to expedite the evacuation of Jews before there is no one left to save
MFA-7002/7
Kimche has received a message from the political advisor at the US embassy in Israel that an arrangement is being made that will allow the exit of thousands of Ethiopian Jews from Sudan, in co-ordination with the Sudanese authorities. A meeting in Geneva will finalize the plan. The adviser asked whether Israel was prepared to receive them within a short period of time and received a positive answer
Admoni informs the recipients that the measures taken by the Mossad to bring the Ethiopian Jews out of Sudan on a large scale have matured. Ephraim Halevi from the Mossad will coordinate an inter-ministerial team that will ensure the coordination and discretion required to carry out the operation.
A message from Sudan’s President Numeiry in response to Prime Minister Shimon Peres’ letter to him. Numeiry accepted the invitation to meet with the Prime Minister in secret in Kenya
MFA-7002/11
A meeting with the Committee of Newspaper Editors on November 11, 1984
A-4388/2
Publication of reports on the rescue operation of Ethiopian Jews in the “New York Times” and the attitude of the media in Israel. The editors in Israel have agreed to continue their silence on the topic of immigration from Ethiopia
Sudan’s decision not to allow the doubling of the rate of exit of Jews from Sudan due to the fear that the publication in the “New York Times” would endanger those involved in the operation, even though Sudan was not mentioned. The operation will stop immediately if Sudan is mentioned in the media. Vice President A-Tayeb demands that Sudan receive part of the aid money that Israel will get for the purposes of absorbing the immigrants.
A-7637/6
The review of the Minister for the Absorption of Aliyah Ya’akov Tzur on the issue of Ethiopian Jewish immigration. Great damage was caused by the publication of the operation in the American press and especially in the Jewish press. The option of doubling the rate of exit is not under consideration for the moment. Acting Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir said it was difficult to suppress publication when trying to raise money from the Jews of the United States to cover the expenses of the operation. He estimates that the slowdown is only temporary
The date 1984 was mistakenly written on the document.
A-4388/2
A decision was taken to summon journalists to a briefing following the interview with Yehuda Dominitz in the “Nekuda” weekly. The briefing mainly dealt with the absorption of immigration from Ethiopia. It did not mention the third country (Sudan) and no details were given of current operations to bring in the Jews. The journalists were asked to show restraint and to focus on absorption
The head of the Mossad reported on the continuation of the flights
A-7638/1
In a stormy meeting, Prime Minister Peres expressed his appreciation of the Mossad for its management of the operation and reviewed the events that led to its end and the decisions made afterwards. He said there was no point in recriminations about responsibility for the termination of the operation. The head of the Mossad reviewed the data from Ethiopia and added that when the wave of publicity subsides, they will look for ways to renew immigration, but for this it is important to maintain confidentiality
MFA-7003/6
An immediate decision is needed on how to deal with the issue of the immigration of the Ethiopian Jews remaining in Sudan, as well as regular consultations and exchange of information with responsible Jewish leadership in the Diaspora
K- 691/6
A discussion on the responsibility for the publicity given to the rescue of Ethiopian Jews which caused the halt in the operation
A report originating from a statement by the Sudanese embassy in Kuwait on an article in a Kuwaiti newspaper about a Sudanese-Ethiopian-Israeli “plot” to transfer the Falashas to Israel. Doubts have been cast as to Sudan’s commitment to Arab League decisions regarding Palestinian rights. The Sudanese embassy denied the allegations
67. Hanan Bar-On, Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jerusalem, to Meir Rosenne, Israel Ambassador in Washington; January 10, 1985
A-4388/2
A message from the Jewish Agency to the heads of the United Jewish Appeal (UJA) to shut down publications on the subject of immigration from Ethiopia
MFA-8960/1
Threats to add TEA, Georges Gutelman’s airline which was used in the airlift of the Ethiopian Jews to Israel, to the blacklist of the Arab boycott authorities
A report on continuing movement of Jews from Ethiopia to Sudan despite the cessation of “Operation Moses”. The continuation of the operation now depends on the damping down of publicity in Israel and abroad. The Mossad will try to do so if suitable conditions are created
A-4388/3
Reports on an interview with President Numeiry in the “New York Times” in which he said that all refugees, including Ethiopian Jews, are allowed to leave Sudan provided they do not go directly to Israel
MFA-8752/22
Reports on Knesset Speaker Shlomo Hillel’s meeting with a delegation of the Ethiopian Church in Israel and Bishop Athanasius. Church representatives are interested in working to improve relations between Israel and Ethiopia. This process has begun but is being delayed due to the Israeli operation in Sudan. Hillel said that the purpose of the operation was rescue and it was not conducted inside Ethiopia. The representative of the delegation suggested that he go to Ethiopia and convey this position to the government.
MFA-7003/12
A report on Meir Rosenne’s conversation with the US Vice President George H. W. Bush before Bush’s trip to Sudan: Rosenne told him about some 1200 Jews in Sudan who are in danger of their lives and must be removed in a coordinated operation. Numeiry does not object, as long as they do not go directly to Israel. The Sudanese prefer departure on commercial flights, but Bush decided to request special flights and will ask the American ambassador in Khartoum to act. The US Treasury’s opposition to renewing aid to Sudan.
The beginning of “Operation Sheba”
A report on the State Department’s response to “Operation Sheba”. According to them, a senior Sudanese source hinted at the possibility of resuming the departures in the future.
After the end of the American operation, another 106 Jews arrived. In total, since the operation which ended on January 5, 700 people have come. The Sudanese are satisfied since this time there was no publicity.
MFA-8766/13
Report on a conversation with Jim Bishop, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the African Division of the State Department. Bishop noted the tensions with Ethiopia that make it difficult for the United States to help on the issue of the Jews, the efforts of the United States in Sudan and the futility of sending delegations to Ethiopia at this point.
K-691/7
About the difficult situation of the Jews remaining in Ethiopia and the proposal to establish a committee to deal with their situation there and their immigration to Israel on the basis of family reunification. Elazar also raises the difficulties of absorption in Israel and the problem of conversion
A-4388/3
A review by the Mossad with numerical data prepared for the visit of Vice-President George H. W. Bush to Israel in July 1986
MFA- 9395/19
Congressmen Leland and Ackerman’s visit to Ethiopia; contacts with Mengistu and his brother regarding the renewal of relations with Israel. Their assessment regarding the chances of renewing emigration and family reunification.
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