04:40Israel: Netanyahu welcomes hundreds of Ethiopian immigrants at airport
Some 316 Ethiopian immigrants landed at the Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv on Thursday. They were welcomed by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, his wife and government officials, who pledged to allow families divided between the two countries to reunite.
"The prime minister and the government are fulfilling the promise on the members of the Ethiopian community are arriving in Israel," said Deputy Public Security Minister Desta 'Gadi' Yevarkan.
As passengers of the Ethiopian Airlines flight walked down towards the airport, many were wearing traditional Ethiopian robes and waved Israeli flags.
Israel approved the operation under a family-unification program, as the country's religious law does not officially consider them Jewish, although they are of Jewish descent.
Upon arrival, immigrants waited under a tent to be registered, signing documents, before starting their mandatory two-week quarantine period.
"I'm excited, even though I won't see my sister today as she is going to quarantine, I will meet her after 14 days. I hope also to see my brother as well, who remained in Ethiopia. I still have hope," said Arieh, whose sister flew from Ethiopia to rejoin him.
On Friday, at least one hundred more Jews are expected to land from Ethiopia, with estimates reaching a total of 2,000 immigrants by the end of January 2021.
04:40Some 316 Ethiopian immigrants landed at the Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv on Thursday. They were welcomed by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, his wife and government officials, who pledged to allow families divided between the two countries to reunite.
"The prime minister and the government are fulfilling the promise on the members of the Ethiopian community are arriving in Israel," said Deputy Public Security Minister Desta 'Gadi' Yevarkan.
As passengers of the Ethiopian Airlines flight walked down towards the airport, many were wearing traditional Ethiopian robes and waved Israeli flags.
Israel approved the operation under a family-unification program, as the country's religious law does not officially consider them Jewish, although they are of Jewish descent.
Upon arrival, immigrants waited under a tent to be registered, signing documents, before starting their mandatory two-week quarantine period.
"I'm excited, even though I won't see my sister today as she is going to quarantine, I will meet her after 14 days. I hope also to see my brother as well, who remained in Ethiopia. I still have hope," said Arieh, whose sister flew from Ethiopia to rejoin him.
On Friday, at least one hundred more Jews are expected to land from Ethiopia, with estimates reaching a total of 2,000 immigrants by the end of January 2021.