I started asking myself, “why would it be so important? Israel is a tiny nation. What’s the big deal? Why are they always in the news?
Why does the U.N. always seem against them?”
My investigative mind took over.
Here in Washington, D.C. we are very connected with the Ethiopian community. They are a great group of people and have a very rich culture which many Washingtonians and tourists can enjoy. Ethiopia is the oldest independent country in Africa and one of the oldest in the world. 
Although the Italians occupied the nation, Ethiopia was never colonized and has maintained a very rich culture. In 1941, Haile Selassie, the Emperor of Ethiopia returned from exile to lead the country. He developed diplomatic relations with Israel, and the situation for Ethiopian jews improved. Around the time of the Yom Kippur War in 1973, many African nations severed their diplomatic ties with Israel, and Haile Selassie was feeling pressure to do the same. He planned to veto an attempt by his government to end relations with Israel, but was forced to withdraw his veto. On October 23, 1973 Ethiopia severed its ties with Israel. Months later, a Marxist, Mengistu, lead a coup and overthrew Selassie’s government. The transition from imperial rule to Marxist rule was devastating. From 1974-1991 Ethiopia suffered great losses of their people, their economy, their culture. The “Red Terror” of the Dergue executed many citizens and the land became the state’s property. The nation has experienced multiple famines and even today is suffering from food shortages due to famine. I have heard so many stories from rich and poor Ethiopians, those who came to the USA on their own and those who came through the lottery. Each one has a testimony of how their nation has suffered for almost 40 years.
Although the Italians occupied the nation, Ethiopia was never colonized and has maintained a very rich culture. In 1941, Haile Selassie, the Emperor of Ethiopia returned from exile to lead the country. He developed diplomatic relations with Israel, and the situation for Ethiopian jews improved. Around the time of the Yom Kippur War in 1973, many African nations severed their diplomatic ties with Israel, and Haile Selassie was feeling pressure to do the same. He planned to veto an attempt by his government to end relations with Israel, but was forced to withdraw his veto. On October 23, 1973 Ethiopia severed its ties with Israel. Months later, a Marxist, Mengistu, lead a coup and overthrew Selassie’s government. The transition from imperial rule to Marxist rule was devastating. From 1974-1991 Ethiopia suffered great losses of their people, their economy, their culture. The “Red Terror” of the Dergue executed many citizens and the land became the state’s property. The nation has experienced multiple famines and even today is suffering from food shortages due to famine. I have heard so many stories from rich and poor Ethiopians, those who came to the USA on their own and those who came through the lottery. Each one has a testimony of how their nation has suffered for almost 40 years. Could this have anything to do with breaking relations with Israel?
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