Were Jews ethnically cleansed in Yemen?

Introduction

Yemenite Jews, also known as Teimanim, are Jews who lived in Yemen or who have descended from Yemenite Jews. They were once a vibrant community, but most emigrated to Israel in the mid-20th century. 

The historical evidence indicates that Jews in Yemen faced severe persecution and were effectively ethnically cleansed from the country over time, particularly in the mid-20th century.

Details

The first recorded mention of Yemenite Jews was in the 3rd century. 

In the 5th century, Yemen was a Jewish kingdom. 

During the Islamic period, Jews were granted dhimmi status, which meant they paid a capital tax in exchange for special status. 

In the 19th century, Jews in Yemen faced persecution. 

In 1947, riots in Aden against the UN's decision to partition Palestine led to the deaths of 82 Jewish people. 

In the late 1940s, most Yemenite Jews emigrated to Israel in Operation Magic Carpet. 

Long History of Persecution

Jews had lived in Yemen for over 2,000 years but faced discrimination and oppression for much of that time:

Under Zaydi rule, which lasted nearly 1,000 years, Jews were treated as second-class citizens and faced numerous restrictions.

In 1679, Jews were expelled en masse to the province of Mawza in what was known as the Mawza Exile. Up to two-thirds of the exiled Jews did not survive.

The Orphan’s Decree allowed Jewish children under 12 who lost a parent to be forcibly converted to Islam.

Escalating Violence and Exodus

In the 20th century, violence and persecution against Jews intensified:

Following the 1947 UN Partition Plan, riots in Aden killed at least 82 Jews and destroyed the Jewish quarter.

Israel’s establishment in 1948 further imperiled Yemen’s Jews, as it did for Jews across Arab countries.

Between 1949-1950, nearly the entire Yemenite Jewish community - almost 50,000 people - were airlifted to Israel in Operation Magic Carpet.

Ongoing Persecution

Even after the mass exodus, the few remaining Jews in Yemen continued to face threats:

In 2007, Houthi militants threatened the Jews of Al-Salem village, forcing their relocation.

A 2022 UN report documented “systematic persecution of Jews in Houthi-controlled areas”.

As of 2022, only about 7 Jews were believed to remain in Yemen.

Conclusion

This pattern of escalating persecution, violence, and mass exodus over decades constitutes a clear case of ethnic cleansing against Yemen’s Jewish population. While some Jews initially stayed behind voluntarily, the community was ultimately forced out through systematic oppression and threats to their safety and religious freedom.