Jerusalem Day is marked by the Israeli Ethiopian community as the memorial day for Ethiopian Jews who perished on their way to Israel. In their escape from Ethiopia to Israel, the families, with their elderly and younger members, had traveled on foot for months and had spent up to two years waiting at the refugee camps in Sudan. Some 4,000 members of the community perished during their attempt to reach Israel, whether out in the wilderness or in the Sudanese camps. They suffered from disease, hunger, harassment, rape, and violent robberies. They were forced to conceal their Jewish identity, making it very difficult for them to observe Jewish law and tradition. On the joyous Jerusalem Day, we must remember those who, through hardships, had never stopped yearning for their return to "Yerusalem". 📸 Nati Harnik, GPO National Photo Collection 🇮🇱 IF YOU LOVE ISRAEL - SHARE NEWSRAEL! 🇮🇱