Top United Jewish Communities officials have confirmed that it has stopped funding aid programs for Falash Mura in Ethiopia.
The Jerusalem Post reported Monday that the funds from UJC, the umbrella arm for North American Jewish federations, ran out May 31.
Over the past three years the funds have provided food, nutrition programs and medical relief to the Gondar region for Ethiopians waiting for permission from Israel to immigrate. The funds were part of the UJC’s special Operation Promise campaign.
UJC officials said they were following the lead of the Israeli government in halting the funding.
Israel has said it will stop allowing Falash Mura, descendants of Ethiopian Jews who converted to Christianity to avoid persecution, to immigrate beginning this month.
Ethiopian Jewry advocates told the Jerusalem Post that the cessation of funds could spark a humanitarian crisis.
