Operation Solomon was one of the largest humanitarian airlifts in history. On this day in 1991, Ethiopia was nearing the end of its long civil war, and the government was on the verge of being overthrown. Israel was concerned for the Jewish community in Ethiopia, known as Beta Israel, as their lives and well-being were at serious risk.
In response, Israel arranged an emergency operation to airlift thousands of Ethiopian Jews out of Africa and was given less than two days to carry it out. The operation was named after King Solomon, who, according to tradition, met with the Queen of Sheba—considered to be ancient Ethiopia at the time.
Between May 24 and 25, in just 36 hours, Israel successfully rescued 14,325 Ethiopian Jews and brought them home to Israel.
Source: Government Press Office
