Shas Party leader Minister Eli Yishai in response to Tuesday’s announcement ending aliyah from Ethiopia called the decision scandalous and discriminatory, stating outright the needs of the Ethiopian community are addressed with a different standard due to their skin color.

State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss called on the powers that be to hold off making such a decision until the release of a comprehensive report addressing the Ethiopian aliyah issue, due to be released in the coming days.

In the meantime, the Jewish Agency shaliach was called home to Israel, officially bringing aliyah efforts to an end.

Representatives of the Ethiopian community in Israel and activists advocating their cause decried the announcement, stating there are still family members of former immigrants whom are now standard in Ethiopia, adding the Government of Israel does not have the right to weigh the future of their community due to the unacceptable decisions based on skin color and economic considerations of the national government.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)