ETHIOPIA: STATUS OF FALASHAS

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06746641
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: July 13, 2023
• Document Release Date: February 8, 2022
• Case Number: F-2017-01488
• Publication Date: March 15, 1991

pproved for Release: 2022/01/31 C06746641
SECRET
15 March 1991
ALA /AFD
Ethiopia: Status of Falashas
' As the northern insurgents continue to advance toward the
Ethiopian capital and the fall of the Mengistu regime looms,
Israel and the State Department are increasingly worried about
the continued emigration of Ethiopian Falasha Jews to Israel.
Non-official Israelis have accused the regime of halting
the exodus of the remaining 18,000 Falashas in the Addis
Ababa area as part of its campaign for more Israeli
military aid. Tel Aviv publicly has denied Ethiopia is
seeking more military aid for fear of further angering
Mengistu. Before the Ethiopians cut off the Falasha flow
to Israel in early March, the emigration level had been
averaging about 500-1000 Falashas per month since late
last year when Tel Aviv and Addis Ababa agreed on new
procedures for the Falashas' departure.
The collapse of the Mengistu regime probably would make
further emigration even more difficult, particularly if
such an event is followed by chaos in the capital. Even
if there were a smooth transition to a new regime, a
government dominated by the rebels probably would, be in
no rush to expedite the Falasha flow in part to punish
Israel for its military support to Mengistu.
Israel reportedly has offered to underwrite'
transportation expenses for an emergency evacuation of
the Falashas and the Department of Defense has $15
million to facilitate such an evacuation which can be
used for transportation costs and apparently "other
measures" to encourage Mengistu to cooperate. Efforts
may be underway at State to see how the money can be used
to get the Falashas out.
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Approved for Release: 2022/01/31 C06746641