The government is bringing just 110 Ethiopian Jews into the country per month, 90 fewer than the agreed figure, despite recognizing that the official reason for the reduced intake no longer exists.
The confirmation of both the rate of Ethiopian entry into Israel and of space for 1,000 new immigrants in Israeli absorption centers were in a government response submitted last week to the High Court of Justice, in connection to a petition filed by an Israeli-Ethiopian rights organization.
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About three months ago, the government began reducing the pace of immigration to Israel of more than 4,500 Falashmura - descendants of Jews who converted to Christianity - who are waiting in a refugee camp in Ethiopia's Gondar province.
Tough conditions
According to a report by a parliamentary delegation from Israel that visited the camp in September, conditions in the camps are difficult.
"These are people living under very difficult conditions, in hunger and poverty, suffering from shortages of food, water, clothing and from severe health problems. The children suffer from malnutrition, weak immune systems and illness, caused by their extended stay," the report said.
The stated reason for reducing the number from the 200 per month promised by the cabinet in October 2011 was a lack of space in immigrant absorption centers here, but the government's own figures belie the claim.
The Jewish Agency, which operates Israel's absorption centers, confirmed the amount of available space in the centers, as well as the claims by the Public Committee for Ethiopian Jews - which filed the High Court petition - that an additional 1,000 beds will soon be available for new immigrants.
