Yemen's few Jews face rebel threats

[oberliner]

AYDAH, Yemen (AFP) - A few hundred Jews still live in Yemen despite temptations to leave the impoverished country, but recent threats by rebels from the Zaidi minority are driving some from their homes.

Threats by the rebels, who are fighting to restore the Zaidi imamate that was overthrown in a 1962 coup, were taken seriously by some nine Jewish families who until recently lived in the northern province of Saada.

All 45 of them have since fled their homes.

Several Jews were quoted as saying that they feared for themselves and their families after they were repeatedly warned by the rebels to leave immediately.

[enid602]

1. yemeni crickets

They must feel like gays living in the fundier parts of the Bible Belt.