The opening of Jewish schools in Addis Ababa as well as in Falasha villages in the interior did not fail to create a strong reaction by the Ethiopian clergy and local officials. The clergy, pushed and encouraged by the different missionaries, especially by the Protestant ones, used all their efforts and influence on the emperor and provincial governors to prevent Jewish schools opening in Addis Ababa as well as in the provinces. In several cases the teachers in the provinces were put in prison and the students dispersed. The governors of the provinces treated the Falasha population with inhuman harshness. The craftsmen of all kinds were liable to compulsory work for the officials and the church. The Falashas were under the unlimited power of the governors. The first director of the school, Tamrat Emanuel, backed by Dr Faitlovitch, resolved to undertake the dangerous fight against the powerful masses for better treatment of his oppressed brothers. Unfortunately, the success was interrupted by the conquest of the Fascist Italy.

In 1936, pursued by the Fascist authorities, Tamrat had to leave the country secretly. Following this the school was closed by order of the authorities and the students were dispersed. At this time the following teachers and students were imprisoned by the Fascists and never seen again: Makonen Levy, studied six years in England(2) and was a teacher in the school; Yonathan Wizkims, studied six years in Germany and France, and was a teacher in the school; Yohanan Gobau, an outstanding student, who was preparing to leave for Europe and Telahun Telelo and Mellesse Kassa, who were students.

The Italian invasion, followed three years later by the outbreak of the Second World War, spelled disaster for the educational programme which was just getting into its stride, creating a body of Falashas with a good grounding in general and Jewish education. The dire consequences of this catastrophe have never been repaired nor the victims compensated.

(1) A list of these students was published in the Ethiopia Observer, vol. vi, no. 3 (1962).
(2) At Townley Castle school, Hampstead (see J.C., 15 February 1929).