As eighty Ethiopian immigrants are expected to land at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport on Monday, the Ethiopian Jewish community’s former chief rabbi has once again demanded Israel’s government complete the immigration process for members of the Falash Mura who remain in Ethiopia. This is because many Falash Mura were forced to convert to Christianity in the 19th century, despite remaining closely attached to Jewish traditions. Upon arrival to Israel, Falash Mura immigrants are required to officially convert to Judaism. Israel -- which absorbed tens of thousands of Jews from the African nation in the 1980s and 1990s -- considers the Falash Mura immigration process to be complete. This process has been delayed, partly in response to opposition to Ethiopian immigration from Israel’s religious right.

Source: Ethiopian News February 04, 2019 03:56 UTC