Operation Solomon: The Daring Rescue of the Ethiopian Jews [Hardcover]

Stephen Spector (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 2005

"Operation Solomon" was one of the most remarkable rescue efforts in modern history, in which more than 14,000 Ethiopian Jews were airlifted to Israel in little more than a day. Now, in this riveting volume, Stephen Spector offers the definitive account of this incredible story, based on over 200 interviews and exclusive access to confidential documents.
Written with the pace and immediacy of a novel, here is the dramatic story of the rescue of the dark-skinned Jews of Ethiopia. Spector recounts how 20,000 Jews were willingly lured from their ancestral villages to Addis Ababa, expecting to be taken quickly from there to the Holy Land. Instead, they became pawns in a struggle between the Israeli government and Ethiopia's repressive dictator, who tried to coerce Israel into selling him weapons he needed in a losing war against rebel armies. In the resulting stalemate, the Jewish community was forced to live for nearly a year in squalid hovels, vulnerable to the dangers of the city, including crime and HIV. Worse yet, the imminent collapse of Addis Ababa, with the rebels closing in on the capital, raised the threat of bloody street fighting or even a genocidal attack on the Jews, a small minority in a nation that is primarily Christian and Muslim. Spector describes the tense negotiations among Israelis, Ethiopians, and Americans, which became increasingly urgent as time ran low and the danger mounted. And he highlights the secret deals and sudden setbacks that nearly aborted the mission at the eleventh hour, even as Israeli jets sat on the runway in Ethiopia, waiting to take the Jews to the land for which they had yearned for generations.
Recounting the full story for the first time, Operation Solomon is a stirring account of a heroic rescue achieved in the face of daunting odds.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An impressive exercise in forensic documentary, with skeletons pulled out of unknown closets, X-rayed, dusted, and added to our collective knowledge.... The pace of the narrative is that of a fast-moving thriller.... After launching an eight-year, tri-continental archival odyssey, meticulously reconfirmed in 200 interviews, Spector leaves no question unasked, and almost none unanswered."--Amir Shaviv, The Forword

"Valuable...fascinating...crisply told.... Perhaps no story encapsulates both the promise and problems of Jewish migration to Israel better than the tale of the black Jews of Ethiopia."--Charles Lane, Washington Post Book World

"Spector describes the tense negotiations among Israelis, Ethiopians and Americans, which became increasingly urgent as time ran low and danger mounted. He highlights the secret deals and sudden setbacks that nearly aborted the mission at the eleventh hour."--Jerusalem Post

"Stephen Spector tells the riveting story behind the story of how the United States joined with Israel in the humanitarian effort that resulted in Operation Solomon. Against the dramatic backdrop of the transition from despotism to democracy in Ethiopia, the Falashas were willing to risk everything in order to achieve their dream of living in Israel. Their story is an inspiration and a testament to the power of diplomacy, and of faith." --Brent Scowcroft, former U.S. National Security Advisor

"Finally the saga of Operation Solomon, the remarkable rescue of 14,000 Falashas, the Black Jews of Ethiopia, has been meticulously researched and accurately told. Stephen Spector tells the story in a manner so riveting that readers will find this book hard, indeed almost impossible to put down. It's a wonderful story and this book is a service to the history of the event." --Rudy Boschwitz, former U.S. Senator, Minnesota

"In his extensively researched and engagingly written book, Stephen Spector uncovers the story of the airlift of Ethiopian Jews to Israel--a story of intrigue, hardship, and amazing courage. An invaluable contribution to the study of modern Jewish history, Israel, and the Middle East." --Michael Oren, author of Six Days of War: June 1967 and the Making of the Modern Middle East

"Operation Solomon is the best and most insightful account of the evacuation of the Beta Israel from war-torn Ethiopia to 'the promised land.' With access to the confidential files of the organizations and personalities who made it happen, Spector guides the reader through a saga replete with intrigue, daring, and ultimate joy. The author does not resolve all the conflicting claims or assertions in this complex history, but lays out the facts with scrupulous scholarship, allowing the reader to draw his own conclusions. Operation Solomon, obviously, was a labor of love for Spector and it resonates in his artful and sensitive prose." --Robert Houdek, Chief of Mission, American Embassy in Ethiopia, 1988-1991

"Operation Solomon describes vividly and meticulously the 1991 rescue of 14,000 Ethiopian Jews from the throes of civil war and misery in Addis Ababa. Fantastic by any standard, Operation Solomon is a shining beacon in the dramatic saga of Jewish ingathering, perhaps the most authentic realization of Zionism. The author has skillfully knitted together all aspects of this unique, complex venture. As one of the Operation's architects I can vouch for the accuracy of his description; by reviving the story Spector has indeed scored a major achievement." --Reuven Merhav, former Director General, Israeli Ministry for Foreign Affairs

"An impressive exercise in forensic documentary, with skeletons pulled out of unknown closets, X-rayed, dusted, and added to our collective knowledge.... The pace of the narrative is that of a fast-moving thriller.... After launching an eight-year, tri-continental archival odyssey, meticulously reconfirmed in 200 interviews, Spector leaves no question unasked, and almost none unanswered."--Amir Shaviv, The Forword

"Valuable...fascinating...crisply told.... Perhaps no story encapsulates both the promise and problems of Jewish migration to Israel better than the tale of the black Jews of Ethiopia."--Charles Lane, Washington Post Book World

"Stephen Spector tells the riveting story behind the story of how the United States joined with Israel in the humanitarian effort that resulted in Operation Solomon. Against the dramatic backdrop of the transition from despotism to democracy in Ethiopia, the Falashas were willing to risk everything in order to achieve their dream of living in Israel. Their story is an inspiration and a testament to the power of diplomacy, and of faith." --Brent Scowcroft, former U.S. National Security Advisor

"Finally the saga of Operation Solomon, the remarkable rescue of 14,000 Falashas, the Black Jews of Ethiopia, has been meticulously researched and accurately told. Stephen Spector tells the story in a manner so riveting that readers will find this book hard, indeed almost impossible to put down. It's a wonderful story and this book is a service to the history of the event." --Rudy Boschwitz, former U.S. Senator, Minnesota

"Spector describes the tense negotiations among Israelis, Ethiopians and Americans, which became increasingly urgent as time ran low and danger mounted. He highlights the secret deals and sudden setbacks that nearly aborted the mission at the eleventh hour."--Jerusalem Post

"In his extensively researched and engagingly written book, Stephen Spector uncovers the story of the airlift of Ethiopian Jews to Israel--a story of intrigue, hardship, and amazing courage. An invaluable contribution to the study of modern Jewish history, Israel, and the Middle East." --Michael Oren, author of Six Days of War: June 1967 and the Making of the Modern Middle East

"Operation Solomon is the best and most insightful account of the evacuation of the Beta Israel from war-torn Ethiopia to 'the promised land.' With access to the confidential files of the organizations and personalities who made it happen, Spector guides the reader through a saga replete with intrigue, daring, and ultimate joy. The author does not resolve all the conflicting claims or assertions in this complex history, but lays out the facts with scrupulous scholarship, allowing the reader to draw his own conclusions. Operation Solomon, obviously, was a labor of love for Spector and it resonates in his artful and sensitive prose." --Robert Houdek, Chief of Mission, American Embassy in Ethiopia, 1988-1991

"Operation Solomon describes vividly and meticulously the 1991 rescue of 14,000 Ethiopian Jews from the throes of civil war and misery in Addis Ababa. Fantastic by any standard, Operation Solomon is a shining beacon in the dramatic saga of Jewish ingathering, perhaps the most authentic realization of Zionism. The author has skillfully knitted together all aspects of this unique, complex venture. As one of the Operation's architects I can vouch for the accuracy of his description; by reviving the story Spector has indeed scored a major achievement." --Reuven Merhav, former Director General, Israeli Ministry for Foreign Affairs

"Spector recounts the events leading up to the operation and its aftermath with excitement and aplomb, and in exquisite detail." --Studies in Contemporary Jewry

About the Author

Stephen Spector is Professor of English at the State University of New York, Stony Brook. A specialist in Christian religious literature, in Jewish and Christian perceptions of one another, and in anti-Semitism, he has been a Visiting Scholar at Hebrew University, a Fellow at the National Humanities Center, and Senior Research Fellow at Wesleyan University.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (March 15, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195177827
• ISBN-13: 978-0195177824
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,558,906 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars History -- Written as an exciting mystery, May 16, 2005

By 

M. C. Commerford (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Operation Solomon: The Daring Rescue of the Ethiopian Jews (Hardcover)

Stephen Spector has written a riveting, meticulously researched, suspenseful history of Operation Solomon. The previously untold stories of this event involve a missing $35 million, hostages and heroism. This book appeals to a broad readership, with Bible prophecy fulfillment, return to the Promised Land, perilous journeys, political machinations, personal sacrifice and much more. An uplifting story of triumph over adversity.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A powerful and inspirational account of some recent history, August 18, 2005

By 

Jill Malter ([e-mail]) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Operation Solomon: The Daring Rescue of the Ethiopian Jews (Hardcover)

Israel has been making good on its task of being a refuge for Jews. In the decade prior to 1948, hundreds of thousands (perhaps millions) of Jewish lives would have been saved had Israel existed. They would have moved to Israel much as Jews actually did in 1948 and the next few years. In those days, Jews reached Israel from Europe, Yemen and elsewhere. But not too many showed up from Ethiopia. And this book begins by explaining why.

One complication is that the Ethiopian Jews are not genetically related to the Ashkenazic (German) or Sephardic (Spanish) Jews. Does that mean that they are not really Jews? Well, that's up to Israel and some of its rabbis and other leaders to decide. They certainly look like Jews to me, but I'm a Pagan, and my opinion isn't relevant. On the other hand, they also look like Jews to some Israelis rabbis whose opinion is relevant. And it seems that there may well be a third branch of Jews, in addition to the Ashkenazim and the Sephardim.

When Golda Meir was the Prime Minister of Israel, she showed little interest in bringing the Ethiopians to Israel, in part because she feared that it would endanger Israeli relations with Ethiopia and other African nations. But Menachim Begin felt that Israel's claim to be a Zionist state would be sabotaged unless it could bring Ethiopian Jews into the country. As for the Ethiopian Jews, most of them not only wanted to immigrate to Israel but were willing to risk their lives to do so.

Unfortunately, after the Yom Kippur War, most African nations, including Ethiopia, broke diplomatic relations with Israel.

That's where this book starts, and it continues by describing the rescue of Ethiopian Jews, over 94,000 of whom now live in Israel. The most exciting part is about the airlift of over 14,000 Ethiopian Jews to Israel in May, 1991 (Operation Solomon). It happened quickly. The first plane left Addis Ababa at 1:30 PM on May 24, and the final one, less than a day later, at 11:35 AM on May 25, with the planes crossing the Red Sea, of course.

I found the book very exciting, as it described the wars and revolutions that confronted everyone in the region, as well as the various bribes that people had to pay to try to free the Ethiopian Jews. And I feel it has a moral: the oppressed can indeed be liberated, and people will show courage and strength to help liberate themselves and to liberate others.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Fascinating and Well-Documented History, August 4, 2006

By 

Jazz It Up Baby - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Operation Solomon: The Daring Rescue of the Ethiopian Jews (Paperback)

It took the government of Israel nearly three decades to take significant steps to bring the Jews of Ethiopia to Israel, as Mitchell G. Bard of the American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise wrote, but when it did finally make a commitment to do so in the late 1970s, it carried out daring and dramatic operations. The story of Operation Solomon--how Israel evacuated more than 14,000 Jews in less than thirty-six hours--is the subject of Spector's fascinating and well-documented history.

Following the first large-scale rescue in 1984, Israel learned that the Ethiopian Jewish population was far larger than previously thought. Their predicament became increasingly dire as Ethiopia dissolved into civil war. By 1990-91, thousands of Jews were identified by American activists who provided them humanitarian assistance and called on Israel to allow them all to come to Israel.

The Ethiopian government, however, saw its Jews as bargaining chips and did not want to let them go without extracting a price from Israel. Initially, it sought weapons but ultimately settled for a large payment of cash.

The U.S. government played a key role. Diplomats, Senator Rudy Boschwitz, and President George H.W. Bush all weighed in to secure Ethiopian permission to allow the Jews to leave. Spector does not give Bush the credit he deserves, presenting him as merely signing off on the requests of others rather than himself strongly supporting the rescue. This is an example of the one weakness of the book, which is that it is missing the historical context of the story, in this case, Bush's direct involvement, when vice president, in negotiations with Sudan for the earlier rescue of the Ethiopian Jews.

Spector has interviewed many of the key players and done a good job of sorting out the relative influence of Israeli, Ethiopian, and American officials, activists, and Jewish organizational leaders. It is a marvelous story, and there is enough credit to go around, but Spector also reveals the underside, especially some of the petty jealousies, particularly among the Israelis, that hindered the rescue.