Newly arrived Jewish Ethiopian immigrants wave the Israeli flag as they walk on a red carpet upon landing in Israel on a special flight from Ethiopia on December 3, 2020 in Tel Aviv, Israel. (Photo by Amir Levy/Getty Images)

Unpacking Operation Solomon, 30 Years Later

May 24, 2021

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We’re Curious...

This week marks the 30th anniversary of Operation Solomon, the famous Israeli airlift that brought more than 14,000 Ethiopian Jews to Israel in less than 36 hours (on May 24 - May 25, 1991). What is the story of the Ethiopian Jewish community, and why did Israel carry out this operation? And why does Operation Solomon matter to Israel today?

What was Operation Solomon?

Let’s start from the beginning. The Jewish community of Eth...