[12/August/2009]

AMRAN, Aug 12 (Saba) – Three relatives of the Jew killed late last year in northern Yemen have left the country for Israel, a departure which comes amid a mini-exodus triggered by alleged harassment.

Chief Rabbi in the district of Ridah, Amran, brother of the victim Moshe Yaish al-Nahari, Yahya Yaish said he was aware about the departure of the three sons of Moshe most recently, adding all Jews in the area are preparing to leave for Israel within the next days.

Harassment has been stepped up against Jews in the districts of Amran and Kharef, with some of the Jews killed and others kidnapped, he claimed.

The sons of Moshe, whose murderer was sentenced to death late June, have called their family telling them they were now in Israel.

The remaining of the victim's family are his parents, wife, four brothers and a sister, while his three daughters flew to Israel shortly after his killing in December.

So far this year, some Jewish families left for Israel, some of them secretly.

All behind the fleeing was fear of persecution.

FR