(JNS) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday greeted at Ben-Gurion International Airport the first group of Ethiopian immigrants to arrive in the country within the framework of “Operation Tzur Israel” (“Rock of Israel”). The 316 immigrants are among approximately 2,000 who are slated to make aliyah by the end of January as part of the operation, approved in Oct. 2019, to reunite them with their families in Israel, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.

“I do not remember, for many years, when I have been moved so much at a sight of such refined Zionism that expresses all of its significance,” Netanyahu said at the ceremony in a tent on the tarmac. …The mother kisses the ground and carries an infant named Jerusalem, and another infant is named Esther. Esther and Jerusalem are coming to Jerusalem; this is the essence of the Jewish story. This is the essence of the Zionist story,” he said, adding, “Therefore, we, dear brothers and sisters of ours, immigrants from Ethiopia, we are so moved to welcome you here. Welcome to the land of Israel. Welcome to the State of Israel.”

Netanyahu informed Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in October about his intention to bring to Israel some 2,000 Ethiopian Jews currently in Addis Ababa and Gondar waiting to immigrate. In a phone conversation during, Ahmed readily agreed to the move and stressed the special bond between the people of Ethiopia and Israel. Ahmed also congratulated Netanyahu on the Abraham Accords, saying that the positive ramifications of the deals will only be understood by future generations.

Approximately 13,000 Jews currently reside in Addis Ababa and in Gondar. Most live in poverty and are waiting to be taken to Israel, which they consider their homeland. Many have family members who have been living in Israel since “Operation Moses” in 1984 and “Operation Solomon” in 1991, when the Israel Air Force Israel airlifted a total of some 20,000 Jews out of Ethiopia.

“Some 250 people have left for Israel within the past year until COVID-19 came. Now the travel has stopped, but Israeli officials are conducting interviews online,” said Nigusie Alemu Eyasu, program director for the Ethiopian Jews’ Community.

Main Photo:New immigrants to Israel from Ethiopia’s Jewish community arrive at Ben-Gurion International Airport on Dec. 3, 2020. Photo by Miriam Alster/Flash90.