In 1989, following the renewed ties between Israel and Ethiopia, Aliya activities resumed. Many villagers left for Addis Ababa, hoping to reach their loved ones in Israel. In 1991, rebels against Ethiopian ruler Mengistu Haile Mariam and his army, mounted attacks, besieged and eventually took control of Addis Ababa. At that time, about 20,000 Ethiopian Jews crowded together in camps near the Israeli embassy, close to the airport. While tensions heightened, secret talks between Israeli and Ethiopian authorities took place. In addition, American Jewry and the US government played an essential role in reaching an agreement to undertake the operation. Operation Solomon took place one weekend in May 1991and was led by the Israeli Air Force over the course of 36 hours. In El Al jumbo jets and military C-130 Hercules aircrafts stripped of their seats in order to maximize the number of passengers, 14,325 Ethiopian Jews flew to Israel. (The operation set a world record for a single-flight passenger load, when an El Al 747 carried 1,122 passengers to Israel.) The entire operation was conducted under total military censorship, which was not lifted by the Israeli government until the operation was completed.

From the Israel Assocation for Ethiopian Jews website.