I've come to a little camp of log cabins in the hills about 15 kilometers south of Jerusalem.

It's about ten o'clock in the morning and there's a lovely crisp smell of pine trees

in the air and it's here that about 80 Jewish teenagers have gathered from around the

world to take part in Israel's annual international Bible quiz.

They've just arrived and they're taking part in some team building activities.

And there's one thing that's really noticeable. There's only one black face amongst them.

My name is Sinta Yoshvara. I am very proud because I am the first European Jew in this competition.

So that makes me happy.

Why are you doing this? Why is this important for you?

Maybe they think about us, you are not Jewish. So maybe they will change their image.

Because they see you coming to be part of the Bible competition.

I'm David Baker and you're listening to assignment on the BBC World Service.

Sinta Yoshvara is 18 years old Jewish, black and Ethiopian.

His father emigrated to Israel 17 years ago.

But Sintaio and his mother and brother still live in Ethiopia.

Among 10,000 Ethiopians who say they are Jews and who are hoping to become Israeli citizens.

It is very difficult to live in Ethiopia especially if you do it's very difficult.

We want to go to Israel but the government do not decide to take us to Israel.

Since its founding in 1948 after the horrors of the Holocaust, Israel has seen itself as a safe haven

for Jews from anywhere in the world to come to to escape persecution.

In theory, anyone who is Jewish can become an Israeli citizen.

But now that policy is under threat, cases like Sintaios have led to a heated debate in the country

...