Gov't set to vote on bringing Falash Mura to Israel

Govt to vote to end Fa

By JPOST.COM STAFF
The government was set to decide on whether to approve the aliya of some 8,700 Falash Mura (Ethiopian Jews whose ancestors were forced to convert to Christianity in the 19th century) this week, according to an Army Radio report. According to Interior Minister Eli Yishai's proposal, a decision on the pace in which the olim will be brought to Israel will be made in the next 90 days. If approved, the process would end with the closure of the absorption camp in Gondar, as well as the entire Falash Mura affair. The remaining Falash Mura have been waiting in Ethiopia since a 2008 announcement that Ethiopian aliya had come to an end, many of whom already have relatives living in Israel. Earlier this month, the Knesset's State Control Committee chairman, MK Yoel Hasson, heard from Israeli Ethiopians who have relatives still living in Gondar. Hasson called on those facilitating the aliya process, including the Jewish Agency for Israel, to get it kick-started and wrapped up as soon as possible. Ruth Eglash contributed to this report