Israel has restarted an immigration scheme for Ethiopians of Jewish descent after halting it for more than a year. Eighty-one new immigrants arrived on a flight from Ethiopia to Tel Aviv early on Jan. 19. It is the first flight since August 2008, when Israel said it planned to end the immigration scheme. The Falash Mura community converted to Christianity under pressure in the 19th Century. Some 8,000 still in Ethiopia want to immigrate to Israel. The scheme was halted in 2008 after the arrival of the last of some 20,000 people the Israeli government agreed to allow entry in 2003. But campaigners have continued to press for those still waiting - many in poor conditions in transit camps - to be allowed into Israel. The scheme was halted in 2008 after the arrival of the last of some 20,000 people the Israeli government agreed to allow entry in 2003. (BBC)
