North American Jews to help Ethiopians

TEL AVIV, Israel, June 28 (UPI) -- Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has won the help of North American Jews, who promised to raise $100 million to bring Ethiopian Falashmura to Israel.

The Falashmura are related to the Falasha Jews, many of whom have already been brought to Israel, but some are Christians.

The Falasha have been pressing the Israeli government to bring the Falashmura, sometimes demonstrating with their pictures and calling "father" or "mother." Earlier this year Sharon decided to bring the remaining Falashmura to Israel by the end of 2007.

Monday he met representatives of the United Jewish Communities Federation of North America and told them that, "Many Falashmura are suffering in the (Ethiopian) camps. There are hunger and disease problems there and therefore, a supreme effort must be made to bring them to Israel."

The prime minister's office said the UJC leaders intend to raise $100 million in the next three years to bring the Falashmura to Israel and integrate them into society.