Operation Magic Carpet Begins
Operation Magic Carpet, initiated on November 8, 1949, was a significant airlift operation aimed at relocating over 40,000 Jews from Yemen to Israel, a newly established nation facing considerable regional challenges. The operation emerged in response to the long-standing oppression faced by Yemeni Jews in a predominantly Muslim country. The Jewish community in Yemen sought refuge in Israel, which had committed to being a safe haven for Jews worldwide. Despite the Yemeni government's tepid support for the operation, Israeli authorities successfully organized an extensive airlift, executing nearly 400 flights from Aden, the Yemeni capital, to transport these Jewish inhabitants to their new homeland. The endeavor was a notable humanitarian effort, as it enabled nearly all Yemeni Jews to emigrate during a tumultuous period. Operation Magic Carpet not only highlights the complexities of migration but also reflects the broader narrative of the Jewish diaspora and the establishment of Israel as a refuge for Jewish communities facing persecution. This operation is an important chapter in the history of both Yemen and Israel, illustrating the intersections of cultural identity, migration, and nation-building.
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Operation Magic Carpet Begins
Operation Magic Carpet Begins
November 8, 1949, marked the beginning of Operation Magic Carpet, which brought more than 40,000 Jews from Yemen to the newly formed nation of Israel. Although the tiny country was besieged on all sides by hostile neighbors and was at times fighting for its very existence, Israel had pledged to make itself a safe homeland for Jews from all over the world. The long-oppressed Jewish community of Yemen, a predominantly Muslim nation along the southern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, decided to take advantage of the opportunity and asked for permission to relocate. With the lukewarm support of the Yemeni government, the Israelis organized a massive airlift operation, providing nearly 400 flights out of the Yemeni capital of Aden to transport the Jewish inhabitants to their new home. Nearly all of the Yemeni Jews were able to leave for their new country.