Rabbonim and public figures are voicing criticism and
opposition to the Cabinet's decision on Sunday to allow some
20,000 Falashmura to immigrate from Ethiopia within a short
period of time. A special ministerial committee headed by
Interior Minister Eli Yishai and including the Ministers of
Education, Housing, Finance and Immigration Absorption--as
well as a representative from the Jewish Agency--will oversee
the program's implementation.
Eli Yishai's plan to bring the Falashmura to Israel has been
delayed several times, primarily because the Attorney General
was reluctant to bring the issue before the government for
approval before the elections. Yishai said the fact that the
plan continued to go forward after the elections proves his
motivations were sincere and not based on electoral
considerations.
Rabbonim and public figures are deeply concerned over the
plan to bring in thousands of immigrants who poskim
say are not at all Jewish and, as part of the government
procedures, to have them undergo flash conversions with no
halachic validity. It is generally acknowledged that the
Falashmura were Christian in Ethiopia. Some say that they
were originally part of the community there that considered
itself Jewish but broke off, and now they want to return.
Most authorities question the authenticity of the Jewish
roots of the other Ethiopians, noting that they had customs
that are reminiscent of Jewish laws but not that close.
According to Eli Yishai's plan which appeared in the press
several months ago, most of those awaiting immigration visas
in Ethiopia would immigrate through accelerated channels,
requiring them to participate in Jewish study institutes to
be set up in Addis Ababa and Gondar by Ethiopian rabbonim
living in Israel and certified by the Israeli Rabbinate. The
plan states that aliyah candidates who are indeed found to be
descendants of Jews would have to take part in a course of
study lasting several months. During this period they would
learn halacha and dinei Torah thereby, according to
the reports, relighting the "sparks of Judaism" in them and
thus they would come to Israel "prepared." In rare cases, if
significant doubts arose regarding their Judaism, the
possibility of performing a "giyur lechumroh" before
immigration would be considered.
According to the government's decision on Sunday, the special
ministerial committee would be responsible for evaluating the
candidates' identity. Those who demonstrated Jewish roots and
showed a willingness to return to Judaism would be allowed to
immigrate to Israel.
Interior Ministry experts claim a large portion of the
Falashmura has no tie to Judaism whatsoever. They say the
economic crisis in Ethiopia is the only factor behind their
desire to come to Israel. Meanwhile Yishai claims they are
endangered and are waiting under difficult conditions to come
to Israel.
