The missing children from the major aliyah from Yemen known as ‘Yaldei Teiman’ is back in the news as it resurfaces every number of years. To date there have been state commissions, which most feel have done nothing but continue to cover up the abduction of hundreds or thousands of children from large families arriving from Yemen. A recent poll shows 60% of Israelis believe the children were abducted as alleged throughout the years.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu this week vowed to uncover the truth once and for all, appointing Minister Tzachi Hanegbi to head the probe.

Kol Chai Radio on Wednesday morning 16 Sivan aided an interview with the late Menachem Porush from 1997 during which he explained he was aware of what occurred, stating it was done “behind the back of Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion”. R’ Porush explains he had a meeting with Ben-Gurion about it and the latter could not believe what he was telling him, asking how this could occur. Porush added he knows some of the people who were involved but is afraid to speak out. One of the names of those still alive who is believed to have been involved is former President Shimon Peres, and while his name has surfaced in the media again, there has been no proof to date. Porush in the interview adds he believed the children were taken to save them from a live of poverty and starvation. Porush accused the leftists of stealing the children.

Today, there is a mounting call for the publication of all the documents since the findings of most of the probes to date have remained classified. Hanegbi is to review the documents and make a decision. Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked has offered her office’s assistance. Opposition leader MK Yitzchak Herzog is calling for total transparency and the revelation of the classified documents.

An estimated 1,500 to 5,000 children from mostly Yemenite and some Sephardi immigrants went missing between 1948 and 1954. In some cases, parents were told their children died in a hospital. According to Shas MK Yitzchak Cohen, these children were given to Ashkenazi families. HaGaon HaRav Korach of Bnei Brak, viewed as a leading Yemenite rav in Eretz Yisrael today insists the children, including relatives of his, were given to left-wing kibbutzim where they were turned into goyim. He explains he has documents proving the abductions “but no one in Israel is interested in hearing. How can we fight a state with an army and tanks? However, just like the sale of Yosef HaTzaddik, the truth will emerge one day and those responsible will have to give a din v’cheshbon”.

Rav Korach spoke of Rabbi Uzi Meshulam z”l, who paid with his health and life over his battle for the truth, lamenting he has been fighting to reveal the truth his entire life. When asked if he and others would have come knowing what would happen to the children, he responded everyone would have remained in Yemen rather than assimilate in Israel.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)