The Ministry of Aliyah and Integration released Wednesday data marking the 40th anniversary of "Operation Moses."
During the operation, approximately 8,000 Ethiopian Jews arrived in Israel after walking hundreds of kilometers, some barefoot and carrying little more than their belongings, in pursuit of their dream to reach Jerusalem.
Of those who made aliyah, 6,617 are still living in Israel today. The majority were children and young adults: 34% were age 0-10, 25% were 11-20, and 13% were 21-30. Only 4% (279 immigrants) were over the age of 71 at the time of their arrival.
The children of Operation Moses immigrants have given birth to 7,645 children of their own in Israel, with the most common names being Israel, Abraham, Moshe, and Mazal. Among the cities where these immigrants reside are: 725 in Netanya, 535 in Petah Tikva, 532 in Ashkelon, 454 in Hadera, 364 in Be'er Sheva, 355 in Rehovot, 352 in Rishon Lezion, 319 in Afula, 312 in Ashdod, and 281 in Ramla.
To mark the operation, thousands of Ethiopian Israelis will gather Wednesday at Mount Herzl to mark the official memorial day for the approximately 4,000 individuals who perished during the trek to Sudanese refugee camps, hoping to reach Israel. The Ministry of Aliyah and Integration recently added the names of 30 more victims to the memorial at Mount Herzl, following careful verification by a special committee.
Avichai Kahana, director general of the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, said in a statement: "Operation Moses is a poignant chapter in the story of the Jewish people's return to their homeland. The Ethiopian immigrants came with immense courage and have integrated into Israeli society in a way that commands respect and admiration. Today, Ethiopian immigrants are leaders across various fields in Israel, and I am confident this trend will continue to grow in the coming years."