After talking about and watching the videos in class about Operation Solomon , I wanted to learn more about it. Operation Solomon took place in 1991. It occurred when Jewish organizations were concerned with the well being of the Ethiopian Jews, who are also known as Beta Israel. The reason for concern was the political unrest from rebel attacks. The time for the airlift also worked out well because the Mengistu regime, the power who once controlled Ethiopia and was now losing it, had made immigrating to Israel difficult for the Ethiopian Jews. Because the Mengistu was losing their power, the Israel Defense Force could do the airlift. There were 34 planes transporting 14,325 Ethiopian Jews in 36 hours. Two other airlifts involving Ethiopian Jews before this one: Operation Moses and Operation Joshua, both involving rescuing Ethiopian Jews from famine in Sudan.
Maybe being Jewish and feeling about Israel as a religious 'homeland,' puts me at a different perspective, but I feel that these operations/ rescue missions were very important and possibly necessary to the lives of the Ethiopian Jews who were involved. In class, it was mentioned that there is a negative cultural effect on Ethiopia because they no longer have their Jewish population. While having a diverse cultural, especially when a group has been in a specific part of the world for centuries is important, the well being, life, and happiness is much more important. Saying that for cultural reasons, the Ethiopian Jews should not have been taken to Israel via Operation Solomon does not make sense to me. They were obvious not treated well by those in control at the time ( example- not allowed to immigrate to Israel if they wished= not free to go to their Jewish homeland) and by providing the airlift, the IDF was giving the Ethiopian Jews a chance to come "home" during a time of unrest. I think Israel provided a incredible gift to these people and should not be viewed as taking, forcing, or causing harm with Operation Solomon.
Also, in Israel, there are many different cultural and ethnic groups; obviously it would be hard to move from one country to another, as the Ethiopian Jews did, but I think Israel is one place that wouldn't be quite so bad. So many religions believe it to be where their origins are (and therefore people of many beliefs) and there are many immigrants who live in Israel.
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I realize that the goal was to help save people from famine and difficult lives, which is of course of a good thing, but did anyone consider the possible issues of undiversifying religion in various countries. Israel is already at odds with just about all of its surrounding neighbors. Did anything think that saving only select people might instill some resentment in those left behind?
ReplyDeleteAbby, I agree with you mostly. I think people should have the right to go to Israel or America or wherever they can be safer. I guess at the same time I feel sad for the loss of a longstanding culture. My perspective is especially shaped by the Middle East, which used to be amazingly diverse with Jews and Christians.. I miss that.. but recognize that historical trends are behind the changes.. and there is not a lot to do about that.
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