London-based Asharq al-Awsat reported March 28 that the Houthi group in Yemen had deported from their homes in Sanaa 13 Jews who are members of three different families. Thus, only four elderly Jews now remain in the country. The report claims that the 13 exiled Jews did not ask to immigrate to Israel and are currently waiting for the UN refugee agency to transport them to a third country that grants them asylum.
One of the 13 Jews expelled told Asharq al-Awsat, “They (the Houthis) gave us a choice between staying in the midst of harassment and keeping [Levi Salem Musa Marhabi] a prisoner or leaving and having him released.” The newspaper did not give the name of the person interviewed.