Inside Africa: Beta Israel, Once on the Verge of Empire
the times of israel
For centuries, a small Jewish community lived on the fringes—both geographically and socially—under the towering shadow of the Ethiopian Empire's dominant Christian tradition. Known as Beta Israel, they survived as an isolated minority, keeping their ancient faith alive in the rugged highlands of northern Ethiopia. Their story is one of resilience and resistance: a people who maintained their Jewish identity despite relentless pressure to conform to a dominant culture that viewed them with suspicion, fear, and, at times, outright hostility.
But how did they manage to preserve this identity while living at the edges of an empire? The answer lies in their isolation, their faith, and the remarkable endurance of a community determined to maintain its uniqueness in the face of overwhelming odds.
Beta Israel's origins are as deeply rooted in mystery as they are steeped in ancient history. Some scholars claim they are descendants of the lost Tribe of Dan from the Twelve Tribes of Israel, while other scholars believe they came to Ethiopia during the time of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. Regardless of their precise beginnings, Beta Israel was firmly rooted in the Ethiopian highlands by the 4th century, when Christianity took hold in the region
As Christianity spread, Ethiopia’s rulers sought to build a religiously homogenous empire. The early kings of the Aksumite Empire, who adopted Christianity as the state religion, saw Beta Israel’s adherence to Judaism as threatening their vision of a Christian nation. Even in times of tolerance, Beta Israel was still frequently seen as foreigners in a monarchy where politics and religion were closely intertwined. The community's centuries-long existence on the outskirts of Ethiopian society was paved with gradual physical and social exclusion from this religious difference.
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Beta Israel’s exile to the rugged northern regions of Amhara and Tigray might have been a form of exclusion, but it was also a shield. Being apart from the prevailing Christian community allowed them to preserve their distinctive religious customs with minimal interference. Despite being the result of marginalization, their seclusion became one of their most valuable assets in maintaining their distinct identity. It allowed them to completely preserve rites, prayers, and traditions that had vanished from other Jewish communities and integrate with the modern Jewish community.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church played a pivotal role in defining Beta Israel’s marginal status. As the dominant religious and political institution, it viewed Judaism as a threat to its theological and social order. The Orthodox Church sought to assimilate or eliminate any form of religious divergence, often through forced conversions or social ostracism.
Beta Israel, however, refused to disappear. During the reign of Emperor Susenyos in the early 17th century, for instance, Beta Israel faced brutal persecution, with many forced to convert to Christianity or suffer severe punishment. Some outwardly complied, but many continued to practice their Judaism in secret, maintaining rituals at great personal risk.
By the 20th century, Ethiopia was embroiled in political turmoil, famine, and civil war, pushing Beta Israel into an even more precarious situation. The rise of Marxist rule under the Derg regime from 1974-1991 compounded these crises, and many Beta Israelis saw no future in their homeland. Facing starvation and increasing threats from government forces, thousands began fleeing toward Sudan, hoping to make their way to Israel.
This led to what is known as the Beta Israel’s Great Exodus. Operation Moses was created in 1984 as a covert airlift designed to bring Beta Israel to safety. Over six weeks, approximately 8,000 Ethiopian Jews were flown from Sudan to Israel. The journey, however, was perilous. Many of those fleeing had journeyed for weeks through the desert to reach Sudanese refugee camps, where disease, hunger, and attacks from bandits were rampant. While the operation saved thousands, it was cut short when news of the airlifts was leaked to the public, forcing the Sudanese government to halt the evacuations. Tragically, hundreds of Beta Israel who were left behind perished.
Following Operation Moses, Operation Solomon was created in 1991, when political instability in Ethiopia reached a breaking point as rebel forces closed in on Addis Ababa. In coordination with the U.S. and several other countries, the Israeli government launched a massive emergency airlift. In just 36 hours, 14,000 Beta Israel were flown to Israel on 34 planes, marking one of the largest single-day rescue operations in history. Unlike Operation Moses, Operation Solomon was swift and successful, completing the exodus before international scrutiny could interfere.
These operations were pivotal for the Beta Israel community, symbolizing both a long-awaited return to the Jewish homeland and a dramatic end to centuries of isolation. Yet, their journey was far from over.
Integration into Israeli society has come with both triumphs and challenges. Ethiopian Israelis have proudly served in the military, and as of 2023, nearly 1.7% of Israel's population is of Ethiopian descent. However, the hope of a seamless integration into Israeli society was marred by systemic discrimination, segregation, and instances of police brutality that disproportionately affected Ethiopian Jews.
Upon their arrival, many Beta Israel immigrants faced significant barriers to cultural integration. Isolated for centuries, their religious practices and cultural traditions were distinct from the mainstream Jewish population in Israel. Language barriers, lack of formal education, and racial prejudices made the process of assimilation even more difficult. Ethiopian Jews were frequently placed in segregated housing projects and educational institutions, reinforcing their social isolation. This segregation persisted for years, often leaving Ethiopian Jews feeling like second-class citizens in the country they had long considered their spiritual homeland.
The situation has been compounded by systemic discrimination in employment, education, and public services. Ethiopian Israelis have consistently been at the lower end of income distribution and are more substantially facing unemployment than other Jewish populations. Discriminatory practices also extend to religious recognition, with some Orthodox rabbinical authorities questioning the Jewishness of the Beta Israel, forcing many to undergo conversion processes despite their ancient Jewish heritage. Many, especially the younger generation, feel alienated from Israel because of these obstacles, as they must choose between trying to fit in with Israeli society and maintaining their Ethiopian identity.
Protests and outrage have spread throughout the nation in response to high-profile instances of excessive force, especially directed towards young Ethiopian men.
In 2015, the brutal beating of Damas Pakada, an Ethiopian Israeli soldier, by Israeli police officers was captured on video, igniting nationwide demonstrations. The protests exposed the Ethiopian community's deep-seated frustrations, and the Israeli government saw thousands of people take to the streets to call for equality and justice. Along with the violence, the demonstrators also condemned the larger racism and injustice they had to deal with daily.
In 2019, the shooting death of 19-year-old Solomon Tekah by an off-duty police officer once again brought these issues to the forefront. The incident triggered widespread protests, leading to demonstrators and law enforcement clashes. Ethiopian Israelis blocked major highways and called for an end to the systemic discrimination that has long plagued their community. Many within the Ethiopian community argue that their marginalization is reinforced by a justice system that disproportionately targets them, with frequent reports of racial profiling, harassment, and heavier sentencing for crimes compared to other Jewish Israelis.
Despite these challenges, Ethiopian Israelis continue to fight for equality, driven by a strong sense of identity and community. They are making strides in politics, the military, and education, yet the road to full acceptance remains long. Ongoing protests and activism, led by Ethiopian Israeli leaders and allies, seek not only to end police brutality but to dismantle the structural inequalities that have kept the community on the margins of Israeli life.
