June 9, 1999
25 Sivan 5759
Jerusalem

In light of the difficult situation facing the Jews of Kwara in Ethiopia, the Chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) Sallai Meridor calls on the Israeli Government to expedite their immediate immigration to Israel

The Chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), Sallai Meridor on Wednesday called upon various government offices to expedite the immediate immigration of the Jews of Kwara to Israel and to accelerate the process of determining their status. This is in light of the dire circumstances under which they are at present living.

The Jewish community of Kwara in northern Ethiopia numbers approx. 3,000 people. From the latest reports which the Jewish Agency for Israel and the Israeli Foreign Ministry have received, it appears that their situation is very grave. Based on these reports, the Kwara Jews who have arrived in the Gondar province and are waiting to immigrate to Israel, are suffering from very poor living conditions. Many of them are suffering from malnutrition and infant mortality is close to 20%.

In a letter to outgoing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Chairman of JAFI asks him to expedite the immediate immigration of the Jews of Kwara to Israel. "In spite of the positive decisions made by the government under your leadership, and in spite of the fact that JAFI has transferred all resources as requested, only 87 Kwara Jews immigrated during the months of April and May", states Sallai Meridor. "This situation is intolerable from a human, Jewish and Zionist perspective."

In discussions which were held between the Foreign Ministry and JAFI, a recommendation was formulated to immediately bring the Jews of Kwara to Israel so that within a few months during 1999, all of them would be brought to Israel. Meridor states in his letter that the Israeli Foreign Ministry has committed itself to carrying out all necessary coordination and stated that JAFI would fly any number of Jews to Israel immediately upon them receiving authorization to immigrate.

In order to accomplish this task, the JAFI Chairman Sallai Meridor called on the Prime Minister to immediately change the manner in which the Interior Ministry issues visas, and added that the Ministry of Immigration & Absorption has already announced its willingness to meet the great challenge of their absorption.

The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, an international organization based in Chicago that seeks to build bridges between Jews and Christians, has pledged financial assistance to help in the rescue of the Jews of Kwara. This money will be channeled through the United Jewish Communities of North America. Some Federations in North America have already committed themselves to increased funding for this purpose.

For further information contact:

Michael Jankelowitz
Liaison to Foreign Press and Media, JAFI
Tel: 972-2-6202780
Fax: 972-2-6202708
Mobile: 972-51-601706