Secret operation resettles Yemeni Jews in U.S., report says

[oberliner]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - About 60 Yemeni Jews have moved to the United States since July under a clandestine operation by State Department officials to escape anti-Jewish attacks in their homeland, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday.

Only 200 to 300 Jews still live among Yemen's 23 million Muslims. The murder of a Jew last year, a Shi'ite revolt in northern Yemen and the growth of Sunni Islamist fervor have fueled their desire to leave the Arabian Peninsula country.

"The operation followed a year of mounting harassment, and was plotted with Jewish relief groups while Washington was signaling alarm about Yemen," the Journal said.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/31/AR2009103100750.html

[jasi2006]

1. These kinds of secret resettlements have been going on for years.

Lots took place under Reagan as many Soviet Jews were moved here to some of the most remote places of the US. Folks would be surprised at the numbers...believe me. My hubby worked for the DOS. If folks only knew.

[notadmblnd]

2. I'm not surprised. I just wonder why they would choose the US over Israel?

I thought anyone who was Jewish had a right to immigrate to Israel?

[AnOhioan]

3. Could be they dont like the current Israeli gov't

[Mosby]

4. WSJ article includes a lot of background info

Secret Mission Rescues Yemen's Jews

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125693376195819343.html?mod=article-outset-box

[Vidar]

5. Nice to know we occasionally do something humanitarian.