Figure 1.--Here we see two Yemeni Jews, we think in the 1970s, although the snap shot is undated. Grandfather and grandson are reading the Torah together. We do not know just where in Yemaen this photograph was taken.

An American diplomat by accident encountered a small Jewish community living in an isolated part of northern Yemen (1976). These Jews had not participated in Operation Magic Carpet for a varirty of reasons, including their isolation as well as problems like sick relatives unable to travel. Isolated in remote areas, many had abandoned their faith and converted. Yemeni authorities do allow them to practice their faith. There are reportedly two synagogues. Jews hang on in Raida (north of Sanaa) and other remote towns. One report suggests that about 400 Jews have managed to emigrate to Israel despite a Goverment prohibition. Yemen was one of the few countries to back Sadam Hussein in the First Gulf War that liberated Kuwait (1990). To rebuild relations with the West, the Yemeni Government allowed Jews to freely travel for the first time in three decades. About 1,200 Jews departed at that time, most to Israel. American Ambassador Arthur Huges says that those who remained said, "This is where we hve been for centuries. We are OK; we're not going anywhere." [Jordan] These Jews were concentrated in two areas, Raida near Sanaa and Saada, a remote village to the north. Not soon after the situation began to deteriorate. A Shiite rebellion broke out in Saada. An estimate 50,000 people were displaced as aesult of fighting between government troops and the Houthis Shiite rebel groups. The Gouthis were especially hostile to the Jews, accusing them of being spies for Israel and the Government as well as corupting the morals of Muslims. Armed men threatened the Saana Jews. The community of about 60 people fled to Sanaa. There they received government support. This left Raida as the only Yemni Jewish community. The increasing radicalization of Yemen in recent years has put the remaining Yemeni Jews in great danger. Attacks on the small Jewish community increased when one of the most prominant Jewish leader was shot dead (2008). President Saleh made some effot to protect Jews, but the northern rebellion made this impossible. The father of Moshe Nahari was dhot by gunmen (December 2008). On the previous page is son and granddughters standing outside the court hearing the case. Yemeni Jews tried to hide their identify for safty from Muslimm attack by wrapping their side curls and scull cap in a turban. The U.S. State Department has been conducting a clandestine operation to get these last remaining Jews out of the country and bring them to America. This followed a year of mounting harassment and violent attacks. The State Department estimated that there were still about 350 Jews in Yemen before the State Department launced the effort to save them (July 2009). A press report indicated that 60 have been resettled in the United States and another 100 could follow. [Jordan, p. 1.]

Sources

Jordan, Miriam. "Secret mision rescues Yemen's Jews," The Wall Street Journal (October 21-November 1, 2009), pp. A1, 16.

Created: 9:09 PM 12/21/2013
Last updated: 9:09 PM 12/21/2013