ADDIS ABABA – The University of Gondar (UoG) is urging the Ethiopian government to officially recognize the Jewish cemeteries in Gondar as national heritage sites, emphasizing their deep cultural, historical, and diplomatic significance.
According to the UoG Department of Ethiopian Language and Literature lecturer Muluken Zemene, the cemeteries are living symbols of Ethiopia’s once-thriving Beta Israel community and deserve immediate protection.
He warned that without formal recognition and preservation efforts, these sacred sites face the risk of being lost to neglect and urban expansion.
“These cemeteries are more than resting places. They are spiritual and historical landmarks that embody the memory and identity of Ethiopian Jews,” said Muluken, who recently completed a comprehensive study titled The Forgotten Jewish Cultural Heritage in Gondar: Challenges and Strategies for the Conservation of Ethiopian Jewish Cemeteries.
The study sheds light on the fragile condition of the cemeteries, which have long been overlooked and remain outside the country’s official list of protected heritage sites. The lack of legal ownership, minimal documentation, and increasing urban pressure has all contributed to their vulnerability.
Muluken noted that preserving these sites offers not only cultural and historical benefits but also potential for economic and diplomatic gains. Promoting the cemeteries as heritage tourism destinations could attract visitors from Israel and the Jewish Diaspora, many of whom have ancestral ties to Ethiopia.
Such engagement, he said, could boost local economies and further deepen Ethiopia’s relationship with Israel.
The scholar emphasized that the cemeteries are a physical link between Ethiopia’s past and its global Jewish descendants, particularly those who migrated to Israel during various operations and now form part of the Israeli social fabric. Their connection to Ethiopia remains strong, rooted in memories of synagogues, holy sites, and community traditions—much of which is reflected in the cemeteries now at risk.
“This is not just about protecting old stones. It is about honoring identity, preserving memory, and strengthening bonds between generations and nations,” Muluken stressed.
The University of Gondar is calling for immediate action from cultural authorities and international partners to recognize and conserve the cemeteries, which could serve as powerful symbols of shared history and renewed diplomatic cooperation between Ethiopia and Israel
BY ESSEYE MENGISTE
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 30 MAY 2025
