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Ethiopian Jews crowded into the cabin of an El Al Boeing 747 during Operation Solomon

1991Society

Operation Solomon flies more than 14,000 Ethiopian Jews to Israel in about 36 hours.

The airlift begins on 24 May 1991 in Addis Ababa, with planes stripped of their seats to fit more passengers.

The story in numbers.

Here is how it happened.

  • April 1991

    As insurgents close in on the capital, a US envoy goes to Addis Ababa.

    The US President sends Senator Rudy Boschwitz to seek the quick departure of the Ethiopian Jews. Arrangements between Israel and Ethiopia follow.

    SourceUS Presidential Papers, 1991

  • Dozens of people sitting close together on the floor of a transport plane's hold

    24 May 1991

    Planes fly out of Addis Ababa without a break.

    El Al jets and Hercules transports fly with the seats removed, to carry as many people as possible. The flights continue for about 36 hours.

    SourceGuinness World Records

  • A smiling woman holding a small child in a scarf, among others coming down the steps from a plane

    The weekend of 24 May 1991

    More than 14,000 people land in Israel, one 747 carrying over 1,000 of them.

    Two babies are born during that jumbo jet's flight. Guinness lists about 1,088 passengers.

    SourceGuinness World Records

  • 4 June 1991

    The US honours the people who helped arrange the rescue.

    At a Rose Garden ceremony the President awards Senator Boschwitz the Presidential Citizens Medal. Three diplomats on his team receive special awards.

    SourceUS Presidential Papers, 1991

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More pictures from this story.

  • A woman with a baby on her back standing under a tent, with other people behind her

    Ethiopian Jews in a transit camp in Ethiopia before the flight to Israel

Here is why it matters.

More than 14,000 people reached Israel in one weekend, as civil war closed in on the Ethiopian capital. The US President called it a humanitarian rescue of heroic proportions.

Three more milestones to read next.

  • David Ben-Gurion reading the Declaration of Independence in Tel Aviv, beneath a portrait of Theodor Herzl

    1948

    The Declaration of Independence promises equal rights to all.

    Read the story

  • A portrait of Golda Meir in 1973

    1969

    Golda Meir becomes Israel's first woman Prime Minister.

    Read the story

  • Members of the First Knesset in session in 1949, many with raised hands

    1949

    Arab citizens vote in Israel's first Knesset election.

    Read the story

Where each fact was read.

Sources read on 1 November 2026.