Subscribe to Print Edition | Fri., June 20, 2008 Sivan 17, 5768 | | Israel Time: 02:43 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Peres Conference Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Last update - 02:02 19/06/2008 Ethiopian-Israeli lawmakers split over continuing Falashmura immigration By Anshel Pfeffer How many people of Jewish descent are left in Ethiopia? Between 5,000 and 300,000, depending which Ethiopian-Israeli Knesset member you ask. On one side is MK Mazor Bahyna (Shas), who claims, "There are more than 300,000 Jews in Ethiopia who are entitled to immigrate to Israel, and they should be helped to get here." On the other side is MK Shlomo Molla (Kadima), who supports the official government position that the immigration from Ethiopia should be ended. Advertisement The disagreement between the two lawmakers reflects the profound differences of opinion within the Ethiopian community in Israel. Some are calling to bring anyone who claims a connection to the Jewish people to Israel, while others do not see the Falashmura, whose ancestors converted to Christianity, as Jews, and say many of them are lying about their Jewish origins. "We have historical evidence and letters from the kaises (Ethiopian Jewish religious leaders) showing that 40 years ago there were more than 50,000 crypto-Jews who had been forced to convert," says Bahyna. "We believe that there are at least 300,000 today. This is a religious question. The rabbis have determined that they are Jews, and they should be brought here." Molla, however, argues that Israel should stop bringing over Falashmura, in accordance with the 2005 government decision to cease the immigration as of this month. He calls Bahyna's stance "utter nonsense. Because of mistakes they made at the Interior Ministry, there are still 5,000 people in Ethiopia whose eligibility needs to be examined, but after that, the matter must be ended," he says. "This is a political decision. If they keep dragging their feet, an infinite number of Ethiopians with no connection to Israel or the Jewish people could come here." Bookmark to del.icio.us   Fragile cease-fire Olmert: Gaza cease-fire is fragile, may be short lived. Unbalanced stance Italy FM: EU stance on Israel in past swayed by intolerance.

Read & React Olmert: Gaza truce is Hamas' last chance to avoid major IDF op Responses: 240 ANALYSIS / For Gaza truce architect, Israel chose lesser of 2 evils Responses: 110 Editorial: A lengthy cease-fire is an achievement for Israel Responses: 49 Jerusalem denies services to Palestinian residents over the fence Responses: 100 Rosner's Domain / The Joe Lieberman dilemma Responses: 74 More Headlines 23:13 Report: U.S., Canada warn Hezbollah set to strike Jewish targets 00:00 Military sources: IDF to pull troops if Gaza truce holds 02:13 Gazans get much-needed calm, as Hamas works to preserve cease-fire 23:18 Barak: Only U.S. can advance Israel-Syria talks 01:14 Visitors can't get enough of Hitler tours in Munich 22:01 Head of Lebanese terrorist's village: We're preparing for Kuntar's homecoming Sunday 15:48 The Joe Lieberman dilemma 02:31 To buy or not to buy, that is the ethical dilemma 01:37 Likud warns Shas not to back alternative Kadima-led gov't 12:24 Environmentalists win decade-long war against Eilat fish farms 17:20 Taxi and truck drivers protest fuel prices, clog main T.A. artery 17:56 Land mine explosion kills two Bedouin children in Sinai 19:06 Report: Human rights activists in Arab world face countless threats 16:11 Social workers to shut down welfare offices over labor dispute Previous Editions Select Day 19 jun 18 jun 17 jun 16 jun 15 jun 13 jun 12 jun 11 jun 10 jun 09 jun 08 jun 06 jun

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