Israeli ministers approved a plan to bring almost 400 Ethiopian Jews to Israel, to reunite them with family members already residing in the country.

The plans will see members of the Falash Mura community of Addis Ababa and Gondar fly to Israel.

The cabinet approved the measure despite opposition over the timing of the move.

The country’s Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit had warned that the measure could be interpreted as a ploy to win Ethiopian-Israeli votes before their March 2 election.

Blue & White leader Benny Gantz – Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s main opposition in the upcoming poll – tweeted that he was “appalled to see how Netanyahu is carrying out a cynical election campaign on the backs of the Jews remaining in Ethiopia and their families here, whom he has neglected for a decade.”

At the cabinet meeting on Sunday, Mr Netanyahu said: “I am proud that as prime minister I brought thousands of Ethiopian brothers and sisters to Israel.

“Of course we intend to continue doing so. This is just another step. We are also committed to the full integration of the community into Israeli society. We are constantly moving toward that goal and will continue to do so.”

The Falash Mura’s ancestors converted from Judaism to Christianity, often under duress. Because they are not considered to be Jewish under Israel’s Law of Return, special permission must be sought to migrate.

There are approximately 8,000 tribe members in Ethiopia with close relatives in Israel. The plan will see around 60 families reunited.

About 140,000 Ethiopian Jews live in Israel today.