ABSTRACT
The rapidly changing political scene in the region, and particularly in Aden and Yemen, was of great concern to the Jewish Agency of Jerusalem. In February 17, 1948, Imam Yaḥya, the absolute, theocratic monarch who ruled Yemen for more than four decades (1904-1948) and accorded it a great measure of stability, 1 was assassinated. It was Imam Yaḥya who opened wide the gates of emigration for the Jews of Yemen, and many feared that his death and the increasing instability would militate against the free departure of Jews from Yemen. But the revolt, headed by ʿAbdullah al-Wazīr, a former general, did not last long. Crown Prince Ahmad who was the Governor of Taʿiz, managed to secure the loyalty of both the army and major Zaydi tribes. 2 He swiftly seized the throne, and wreaked vengeance upon his enemies. To the Agency’s relief, Imam Ahmad continued his father’s policy to allow the free departure of those Jews who wished to leave.
