1988 - 1992
IMMIGRATION OF JEWS FROM ETHIOPIA -
1984-1991
According to tradition, the Jewish community in Ethiopia is descended from King Solomon and the
Queen of Sheba. It has maintained its identity and observes the commandments of Judaism (mitzvot)
up to the present day. This community has suffered many hardships and persecution, but in the 1980’s
a change of government policy resulted in the Jews being permitted to leave for Israel. The Ethiopian
community was brought to Israel in two large and complex operations: Operation Moses (1984) and
Operation Solomon (1991). Their immigration and absorption were funded and managed by the
Jewish Agency and the Government of Israel. A total of 52,000 people arrived in Israel, thus fulfilling
an age-old dream.
The community is experiencing great difficulties in their absorption. Halachic (Jewish oral law)
questions arose regarding their Jewishness. Their different culture and habits have added to the
problems of settling into Israeli society. Sufficient housing is not available. Since it was necessary to
find quick solutions, caravan camps were the immediate, temporary solution. In time, many of them
moved to permanent apartments. In the 1996 elections the Ethiopian community won representation
in the Knesset.
IMMIGRATION OF JEWS FROM THE SOVIET
UNION - 1989-
In the late 1980’s and early 1990’s a wave of immigration from the Soviet Union arrived in Israel,
with the help of the Jewish Agency.
Emigration laws were relaxed as a result of perestroika and the dissolution of the Soviet Union. For
generations Jews had been forbidden to observe their religion, but many of them nevertheless
maintained some attachment to Judaism. Even before perestroika there had been a Zionist awakening,
and many Jews secretly studied Hebrew and Judaism. Now that the Soviet Union was in the throes of
massive change, diplomatic relations were restored between Israel and Russia, and long lines of
people assembled outside the doors of the Israeli embassy, requesting permission to emigrate to Israel.
During this period 700,000 Jews came to Israel. Many of them were engineers, doctors, scientists and
artists. Despite initial absorption difficulties, these immigrants integrated well as a whole, although a
small minority returned to Russia and some emigrated to western countries.
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