Now Yemen denies deal with Britain over Jews

Now you see them, now you don't. Whatever happened to the 'secret' deal that Britain claimed to have cut with Yemen to accept relatives of Jews already settled in Hackney? Well, it seems that embarrassment has give way to denial, and Yemen says there is no such deal.

The Jewish Chronicle:

"A small number of Yemeni Jews may "imminently" move to Britain, although there is confusion over the government's role in their possible resettlement here.

"There have been plans for more than a year to help Jews from Yemen escape persecution by moving to join family members already living in Stamford Hill's strictly Orthodox community.

"The Independent newspaper claimed this week that the Foreign Office is on the verge of agreeing a secret deal with Yemeni authorities.

"It is thought around 20 or 30 Jewish families living in the northern town of Raida already have relatives in Britain and could be brought out of Yemen using three-month visitor visas.

"This would avoid embarrassing the Yemeni government by allowing it to evade claims it can no longer protect its Jewish community. Once here the Yemenis would claim refugee status.

"Middle East Minister Ivan Lewis was quoted as saying the government wanted to "move quickly and discussions have started. It is wonderful news and will bring great relief to members of the Raida Jewish community."

"But the Foreign Office would not comment on Wednesday, citing the "purdah" rules which advise ministerial decisions to be delayed until after the election.

"A Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congregations spokesman said: "About 40 families are supposed to be coming imminently." English classes for young Yemenite mothers living in London already take place at a Lubavitch children's centre.

"In April last year Immigration Minister Phil Woolas tried to resolve the situation, but the possible move of 120 Yemeni Jews never materialised as they apparently refused to leave."

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The Yemen Post:


"Yemen dismissed on Thursday reports that a secret deal was due to be signed to transfer Jewish families to the United Kingdom as a tempest in a teapot, the September website reported.

"All reports on the issue were groundless because the Jewish community in Yemen is living peacefully and in a good condition, the website cited an official source as saying.

"The Yemeni Jews enjoy their rights as other Yemeni people, and they love their country and refuse to leave it because they are already stable, the source said.
"The community receives unlimited support for the Yemeni government all its members recognize this, the source added.

"Two days ago, reports surfaced that a deal was on the verge between Britain and Yemen to transfer a limited number of the Jewish families in the country of those who were, according to British source, persecuted.
"In the recent few years, many Jewish families left Yemen for the United States of America and Israel amid persecution allegations. Most of the families traveled secretly."