Ethiopian Jews had fled to refugee camps in Sudan from a severe famine in their country.
The Israeli Operation Moses had previously airlifted 8,000 people to Israel from November 21, 1984, to January 5, 1985,[2] but when word leaked out to the press, under pressure from other Muslim countries, Sudan blocked further flights,[3][4] leaving many behind.
All 100 United States senators signed a secret petition to President Ronald Reagan, asking him to have the evacuation resumed.
[3] Vice President George H. W. Bush then arranged a follow-up mission called Operation Joshua.
[1] On March 22, 1985, six United States Air Force C-130 Hercules transport aircraft were dispatched, landing near Al Qadarif.