An airline dispute has grounded hundreds of Ethiopians claiming Jewish descent from immigrating to Israel, with none arriving so far this month.

Michael Jankelowitz, a spokesman for the Jewish Agency (JAFI), told us the Ethiopian national carrier has refused to fly the Falash Mura, citing lack of cabin space, due to Israel’s refusal to allow an increase in the number of weekly flights from three to five.

The issue peaked yesterday when Ethiopian authorities refused to allow a foreign-owned aircraft chartered by JAFI to land in Addis Ababa to pick up 170 emigrants.

According to Jankelowitz, JAFI is now negotiating to charter an aircraft from Ethiopian Airlines.