TRAPPED IN SUDAN
By: Avraham Ben Avraham
When Adane Mekonen left Oromia with a group of 50 individuals, including women, young boys, and girls, as well as men and fathers, they were uncertain about what the future had in store for them. The decision of whether to run or stay back and fight took a considerable amount of time to be reached. Regardless of the chosen course of action, there are consequences that exhibit a notable level of unpredictability. Unfortunately, in the absence of equitable assurance of justice in any scenario, the hard way often becomes the only way.
Only a tree would remain motionless even when faced with the threat of being cut down. As the adage above indicates, this particular group of defenseless Ethiopian Jews has experienced numerous threats over time. However, these threats escalated to a critical level, leaving them with no choice but to flee. The war was intensifying in the north, causing hostility to spread throughout the surrounding region. As a result, the only viable option for escape was to head westward. A direction into Sudan, at least a pathway to safety—escaping from government forces known for their aggressive nature.
It has been about one year since the commencement of armed conflict in Ethiopia, wherein government forces initiated an invasion of the Tigrayan region with the objective of engaging the Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front defense force. This military operation was conducted in both the southern Amhara region and northern Eritrea. The Ethiopian-Tigray war has resulted in significant humanitarian consequences, as highlighted in a report by the United Nations (UN). The report states that more than 2.75 million individuals have been internally displaced due to the conflict. Tragically, there are also reports of at least 20,000 people who have gone missing and an estimated 250,000 lives lost.
Hostilities had escalated between the Ethiopian government and the Tigrayan northern region prior to the outbreak of COVID in early 2020. In November 2020, amidst the global race to develop a vaccine for the pandemic, federal troops launched an offensive, capturing and bombarding Mekele, the capital and hub of Tigray. In a surprising turn of events, the Tigrayans, after a period of six months, bolstered their forces and initiated a strategic offensive with the aim of reclaiming their territories. After regaining control of Tigray, the military’s advancement into the regions of Amhara and Afar, along with the possibility of advancing into the capital Addis Ababa in the Oromia region, prompted a nationwide mobilization urging men to take up arms and protect the country from the northern forces.
The coordinated military operation successfully expelled the Tigrayan forces from the regions of Amhara and Afar. Both sides were responsible for numerous cases of rampant human rights abuses and grievous war crimes. According to reports from refugees who have escaped conflict zones, there have been accusations against the Amhara militia for committing acts of ethnic cleansing against Ethiopian Tigrayans in the regions of Amhara and western Oromia. This is the account of how Adane and the members of the West Wolega Bet Israel community found themselves entangled in the tragedies of war and faced with the scourge of antisemitism.
In addition to witnessing war crimes, which the government never wanted revealed to the outside world, there has been a culmination of intensified antisemitic threats throughout the region. They witnessed a series of horrifying murders firsthand, including the mutilation of women’s breasts, the brutal killing of children with knives, the gruesome act of ripping open the stomachs of pregnant women, the heart-wrenching sight of infants being discarded, and the merciless slaughter of young men and fathers as soldiers marched through Wolega in Western Ethiopia, where the remnants of its synagogue are located. The Jewish population was attacked, which led them to flee.
After enduring a challenging journey filled with misadventures, pain, and fatigue, they finally arrived in northern Sudan at Galavat on March 20, 2022. Throughout their four-month escape from a war zone, they faced constant threats from multiple enemies. A team of United Nations personnel welcomed the group at the border and kindly escorted them to the Tigrayan refugee camp. This camp serves as a safe haven for thousands of individuals who have fled the ongoing conflict in Ethiopia, providing them with much-needed relief and support. Upon discovering that some of the Oromia escapees were Jewish, a significant number of refugees in the camp staged a revolt. They accused Jewish individuals of being evil and bringing bad luck, expressing their refusal to henceforth accommodate them within the camp. They proceeded to assault the Jews, who appeared weak, exhausted, and outnumbered. To gain control of the situation, the 48 Jewish individuals were relocated from the settlement and subsequently set up camp near a local police command post.
Antisemitism cases are characterized by a common thread: unfounded hatred towards Jewish people. In extreme situations, individuals who harbor hatred are motivated to attack, specifically targeting Jews with the intention of causing harm. Their mindset is programmed to rationalize and justify such extreme acts. During the Jews’ escape from West Wolega, government forces apprehended three individuals. These forces had launched an attack on their village, resulting in the destruction of property and plundering. The situation escalated into a case of kidnapping, with the abductors demanding a ransom before releasing Mulat, Gashawu, and Habetamu. During the war, anarchy and lawlessness prevailed, empowering oppressors to mock, exploit, and extort unfortunate victims.
Because the Jews who were fleeing did not want to abandon the three kidnapped men, they made the decision to negotiate while in hiding, keeping a safe distance. The abductors initially demanded 300,000 birr per person, but later they insisted on a minimum of 300,000 birr for the release of all three individuals. Unfortunately, they received the distressing news over the phone that Mulat had been fatally shot. This tragic event occurred after a ransom of only 100,000 birr was deposited into a commercial bank account in Ethiopia. As the government forces closed in, urging them to surrender and be handed over to the Oromian forces, they made the decision to head westward towards the border. However, their journey took an unfortunate turn when they were arrested in Asosa, located in the Benishangul-Gumuz region. They were detained for a period of four months before eventually being released. Despite this setback, they persevered and managed to successfully cross the border into Sudan.
On April 15, 2023, an armed conflict broke out between two rival factions of the Sudanese military government: the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Violent clashes have erupted in multiple areas, including the capital city of Khartoum, the Darfur region, and the border territories shared with Ethiopia and South Sudan. The humanitarian crisis has escalated due to deliberate and indiscriminate attacks carried out by the warring factions. These factions include various militia groups that have aligned themselves with either the SAF or the RSF. According to the United Nations, the war has resulted in approximately 10,000 fatalities within a span of four months. Additionally, there are currently 3.4 million individuals who have been displaced within their own country and approximately 1 million people who have become refugees.
The scenario of fleeing from a conflict and subsequently becoming entangled in a fresh war abroad seemed unimaginable for the group of 48 exiled Jews. They are experiencing trauma, feel helpless, and are unsure about which direction to take. The situation in Sudan rapidly deteriorated as fighting escalated in the capital city of Khartoum and spread to other areas. Avoiding being caught in the crossfire between shooters on both sides or becoming victims of mass human rights abuses would be highly unlikely without another miracle. However, as the violence and lawlessness continued to escalate, they made the difficult decision to make an attempt to leave Umrakuba and escape Sudan.
Due to their lack of funds and the need to rely on themselves, their situation quickly worsened, leading to a crisis and forcing them to endure impoverished living conditions. As they continued to suffer from severe hunger, their camp was also plagued by an outbreak of ulcers. The children would cry all day due to hunger, which forced desperate mothers to take risks by doing menial jobs or begging for food and money. It became a battle for survival, disregarding the cruelty and oppression unleashed by humans and going all out to hunt for food.
They are compelled to reside under the influence of the weather, and when heavy rain falls at night, their shelter proves inadequate, resulting in a leaking roof and flooding throughout the entire place. Mothers will have to carry the younger children while standing up all night if it rains during the night. The proximate well water frequently experiences contamination from runoff over an extended period, resulting in the utilization of muddy water for bathing, cleaning, cooking, and consumption. Due to the deteriorating living conditions, various illnesses have begun to affect the camp, posing the greatest risk to the children.
Due to a lack of funds and limited opportunities to earn money during a war, the situation became even more challenging. Additionally, there were no effective measures in place to address the outbreak of disease in the camp. Frustration and anxiety have also become prevalent among them, leading to a decrease in their overall morale. One of the most distressing aspects is that some of the women, who are also mothers, experience emotional distress after being sexually abused outside their settlement. Every day brings its own set of surprises and challenges, often with outcomes that are difficult to predict. The 48 Amharic Jews in exile in Sudan face significant challenges, and as one of them has described, their living conditions are extremely precarious, akin to being on the brink of life and death.
The Amharan Jews were a group of Beta Israel who resided in the northern regions of Ethiopia. They played a significant role in the governance of the Ethiopian Empire, which existed from 1270 to 1974 and is commonly known as the Solomonic dynasty. Over time, a significant number of their ancestors were compelled to convert to Christianity. As a result, subsequent generations abandoned the non-Talmudic Judaism that the Ethiopian Jews had been practicing for more than a millennium. During the final years of Emperor Haile Selassie’s reign, a group of Amharic Jews were relocated from the Amhara region to the Oromia region as a result of a severe drought. This is how the Mekonen established their residence in West Wolega, located inside the Oromia area. However, the Jewish settlers in Oromia have forcefully migrated due to the Ethiopian conflict and are subsequently facing displacement as a result of another war occurring in Sudan.
In the midst of exhausting all available alternatives and enduring a profoundly destitute existence as disempowered refugees, they resolved to devise a strategy for departing Sudan, leveraging any available assistance at their disposal. Under the Israeli law of return, numerous Amharic and Tigrayan Jews were transported to Israel through the implementation of operations Moses and Joshua in 1987 and Solomon in 1999. Unfortunately, Adane’s parents were among those who were left behind.
Evacuation Options for the 48:
The first choice is Eretz Israel. However, before proceeding, it is necessary to travel from Sudan to South Sudan in order to reach the Israeli embassy. This step is crucial for obtaining approval to enter the ancestral home of the Jewish people. However, since only two of them have passports, there will be a need to make use of various waivers and humanitarian provisions within the immigration law to facilitate the journey of the 48 to the promised land. However, the ongoing recent developments in Israel will play a crucial role in determining the outcome. One example is the protest by Ethiopian Jews in Israel, where they are advocating for Aliyah for their thousands of relatives who are still in Ethiopia. What are the chances that the 48 will be selected before those whose relatives are advocating in Israel? On Sunday, August 13, 2023, a large group of protesters assembled in Jerusalem to voice their demand for the Israeli government to take action and provide assistance to Ethiopians with Jewish heritage who are currently facing heightened risks due to the resurging armed conflict between opposing factions in northern Ethiopia.
If the process of moving to Israel is not feasible in the shortest possible time, again due to the ongoing Israeli-Hamas war, then considering the option of relocating to the Pearl of Africa could be an alternative. Uganda has experienced a period of stability lasting over three and a half decades. As a result, there is little chance of becoming involved in a third war after leaving Sudan. Additionally, there are two factors that work in their favor if they choose to extend their journey from South Sudan to Uganda. There are active refugee camps where individuals can be drafted if they have the right parliamentary connection to prioritize their case. Furthermore, the Jewish community in Uganda will warmly embrace and assist the 48, ensuring their successful resettlement in Uganda. The Abayudaya communities in Mbale and the Jews in Mukono are known for their exceptional hospitality towards foreigners.
The consequences incurred by the Jewish community as a result of antisemitism are of significant magnitude, often leading to the phenomenon of migration as a prevailing outcome. During the tumultuous period of World War II, a significant number of Jewish individuals hailing from Europe embarked on a migration journey traversing the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean with the noble intention of seeking refuge and establishing new lives in the region of South Africa. During the 7th century, amidst the Arab invasion of northern Africa, it is noteworthy that certain Jewish tribes hailing from Morocco undertook a migration towards the southern regions, specifically venturing into the western territories of the African continent.
The situation is similar for the 48 individuals who are currently trapped in Sudan. They are desperately seeking assistance to be evacuated from the war-torn country. The prospect of returning home is currently not under consideration, especially considering the unfortunate incident where the West Wolega Bet Israel synagogue was destroyed and burned down by government forces in 2021. Prior to the attack, there was a rise in antisemitism in the area due to radio broadcasts promoting hate speeches and anti-Jewish messages. These broadcasts unfortunately influenced many non-Jewish individuals, leading to tensions between the majority and minority communities. The situation became very intense when forces loyal to the government committed war crimes by invading the isolated Jewish settlements. They destroyed homes and even the synagogue, which houses precious religious items like siddurim, Torah scrolls, and Jewish books.
The 48 are living in constant fear due to the ongoing war in Sudan, which has seen a rise in reported cases of war crimes. Given the inherent uncertainty of each new day, there is a significant risk of being targeted, particularly for women who must travel over 15 kilometers outside their camp in Umrakuba to gather firewood. While there is still hope for an escape, it is clear that the intervention and assistance of the international Jewish community will be necessary. Much like the most recent rescue of 200 Ethiopian Jews from the Gondor region in northern Ethiopia, if the 48 individuals are also rescued, it would be reminiscent of the triumphant departure of Israeli captives from Babylon as they marched towards freedom and returned to the land of their ancestors.
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