In May 1991, Israel executed a meticulously orchestrated mission known as “Mivtza Shlomo” (Operation Solomon) to evacuate Ethiopian Jews from the war-torn country. Originally planned to span 10-15 days, the operation was condensed into a mere 36 hours due to the swift advance of rebel forces threatening Ethiopia's capital. On May 24th, the Israeli government launched the airlift, deploying 34 Israeli planes to conduct 40 continuous flights over the ensuing day and a half.

The urgency of the situation was palpable, as Operation Solomon needed to conclude before rebel forces reached the capital. Thanks to careful planning and execution, by midday Saturday, May 25th, over 14,000 Ethiopian Jews had been safely transported to Israel. This massive undertaking involved both the Israeli Air Force and the national carrier El Al, which dedicated the majority of their transport fleets to the mission. Notably, one El Al plane set a world record for the largest number of passengers aboard a commercial aircraft during this operation.

Operation Solomon was made possible through diplomatic negotiations and a $35 million bribe to the Ethiopian President. This airlift successfully relocated nearly the entire remaining Ethiopian Jewish population to Israel, marking a significant moment in both Israeli and Ethiopian history. The success of the operation demonstrated Israel's commitment to the ingathering of Jewish communities from around the world and showcased its capability to execute complex logistical operations under challenging circumstances.