Our goal was to try to reunite the Ethiopian Jewish community in Israel. something the community had long prayed for. Operation Solomon succeeded in airlifting the many thousands of Beta Israel who made the trek from the Ethiopian Gondar region to the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa last summer. Although several thousand remain stranded In the Gondar region at this time. their swift emigration Is also one of our highest priorities. and will hopefully be completed quickly. As one of the cochairmen of the Congressional Caucus for Ethiopian Jews. I can assure my colleagues that this historic redemption Is due to the dedication and devotion to the highest principles of human rights on the part of many individuals. Under President Bushs leadership. the State Department. well represented by Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Hank Cohen. made great Inroads In convincing the Mengistu regime of the need to allow the Beta Israel to emigrate. This position was enhanced and strengthened by the Intervention of former Senator Rudy Boschwitz. one of our caucus Senate cochairs and as President Bushs personal envoy. who made the crumbling Ethiopian government realize the high priority the United States placed on the emigration of the Beta Israel. The Government of Israel is Indeed to be commended for its heroic efforts and pinpoint logistical Implementation of the airlift of this proud remnant of Ethiopian Jewry. Following the resumption of diplomatic relations between Ethiopia and Israel In the fall of 1989. discussions focused on Increasing the number of Beta Israel allowed to reunify with family members In Israel.
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emigrate emigration