The deteriorating security situation in Ethiopia has prompted Aliyah and Integration Minister Pnina Tamano-Shata to request an urgent meeting with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett to discuss expediting the aliyah process of Ethiopian Jews.
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The war in Ethiopia erupted a year ago, with Tigray's rebel forces currently having the upper hand and advancing towards capital Addis Ababa. According to the Aliyah and Integration Ministry, Ethiopian Jews who are awaiting aliyah are mostly located in camps in the capital and the northern city of Gondar.
On Tuesday, the Ethiopian government declared a state of emergency.
"According to reports, the rebels intend to take over the capital," Pnina Tamano-Shata said. "Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has called on the residents to arm themselves in order to be able to self-defend during the expected escalations."
The minister further said the current situation warranted immediate action on behalf of the Israeli government. Every additional day of stalling could come at a heavy price, she said.
Adena Tadela, The Jewish Agency's delegation director in Ethiopia, who has recently returned from a visit to Ethiopia, told Israel Hayom that "many of those awaiting immigration at Gondar fear that the conflict will spread to the area soon and endanger them."
According to Tadela, rebels are not the only threat the Jews of Ethiopia face.
"Antisemitism is on the rise due to the war, so much so, that people fear for their lives. If the war reaches Gondar or Addis Ababa, the Jews will be harmed more than others, because they are perceived as outsiders," he said.
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