Title: From Tragedy to Triumph: The Politics Behind the Rescue of Ethiopian Jewry / the Ethiopian Jewish Exodus: Narratives of the Migration Journey to Israel 1977-1985
Abstract: From Tragedy to Triumph: The Politics Behind Rescue of Ethiopian Jewry, by Mitchell G. Bard. Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers, 2002. xiii + 205 pages. Sel. bibl. top. 208. Index top. 217. $64.95. The Ethiopian Jewish Exodus: Narratives of Migration Journey to Israel 19771985, by Gadi BenEzer. London, UK and New York: Routledge, 2002. xiv + 202 pages. Appendix to p. 205. Notes to p. 224. Bibl. to p. 246. Index to p. 254. n.p. During period from 1977 to 1985 over 14,000 Beta Israel (Falasha) or as they are most commonly called today, Ethiopian Jews, emigrated from Ethiopia and settled in Israel. Since then, they have been followed by more than 45,000 of their compatriots. Nevertheless, it is this first group, most of whom arrived via Sudan, who have long been subject of a disproportionate amount of attention. While several books about Moses were published in 1980s, as a rule these were either journalistic accounts or autobiographical narratives. Both of volumes under review seek to take story one step further by offering new information (Bard) and a new level of interpretation (BenEzer). Bard's goal is to offer a behind-the-- scenes look at political maneuvering which made Operation possible. Follow-- ing a rather weak chapter recounting Beta Israel history (pp. 1-23) and a brief survey of Ethiopia-Israel relations (pp. 25-38), he turns his attention to lobbying, negotiations, and deal-making which made mission possible. Using a combination of published accounts, interviews, and archival sources, Bard tells story story. In particular, he highlights manner in which American Jewish activists transformed topic of Ethiopian Jewry from an obscure issue barely on radar of Jewish world into a litmus test for immigration policies of successive Israeli governments. Indeed, by being more Zionist than Zionist state (at least insofar as they were promoting rights of others to live in Israel), they cajoled, embarrassed, and threatened Israelis into pursuing actions they might otherwise have never undertaken. Despite book's title, focus of study is far narrower than one might expect. Over half book (pp. 39-160) is devoted to Operation Moses, which took place from November 1984 to January 1985. In contrast, Operation Sheba (March 1985) and Operation Solomon (May 1991) receive a mere 15 pages (pp. 161-75). This gap is especially glaring in case of Operation Solomon, in which extensive diplomatic efforts were undertaken to achieve airlift of over 14,000 people in less than two days. Fortunately, at least two books discussing these events are close to completion. Moreover, although Bard's book claims to present the politics behind airlifts, here, too, his scope is somewhat limited. Bard discusses in much greater detail activities of Americans (especially, those of American Association for Ethiopian Jewry) and of Israelis than events in other countries and by other organizations. We read comparatively little about either Sudanese or Ethiopian politics. The complex relations between Ethiopian Jews and their country's various rebel factions is all but ignored. Karadawi's Refugee Policy in Sudan 1967-1984, which is best analysis of larger issue of refugees in this period appears to have escaped Bard's notice. Indeed, throughout book, Ethiopians whether Jewish or non-Jewish, appear primarily in background. Ferede Aklum, who pioneered Sudanese route of emigration, does not even receive courtesy of having his last name mentioned. There is, of course, nothing as easy or as unfair as a reviewer chiding an author for not writing book which he (the reviewer) wishes to have read. However, in this case, omissions themselves are noteworthy because they are indicative of particular ideological approach of author. Bard's is latest in a long line of books written from a Jewish or Zionist perspective. …
Publication Year: 2003
Publication Date: 2003-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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