Beta Israel

Beta Israel (Ibrawi: ביתא ישראל, byta yshral) is a theocratic island nation in the Straits of Azania. It lies south of Abyssinia, east of the Dutch overseas territory of Beatrixfort and North of Kirunde and Maskhasia. It is notable for its isolation from the rest of the world apart from its relations with the United Kingdom of the Netherlands. It is a direct decendent of the ancient Jewish tribes in the Palestine, although its religious beliefs have notable differences from modern day Judaism.

The trek to the 'Promised land'
Around the time that Christ was crucified, the Jews in Jeruzalem experienced unrest under their religious authority. There had been many debates on how the religion should progress with Christ calling himself son of God. Most Jews did not support his claim. The story goes that a 155,000 Jews were expelled for their 'heretical beliefs' by the Jews around Jeruzalem. These Jews believed that Christ was one of the prophets, just not the correct one. They set out for the new 'Promised land', in Abyssinia.

The arrival in Abyssinia
Upon the arrival in Abyssinia in the year 37AD (year is an estimation), legend goes that the Abyssinian king did not let the Jews live in his country. He did not want to send them back either; they were scared of an army forming to take over. And he was not cruel enough to slaughter these people. Instead, he let them go to an uninhabited island chain south of the coast, but told them to never return. The Jews promptly accepted his gift and moved to the islands.

Clan period
Upon arrival on the islands, settlements were erected and the population lived very simply. Still, there were arguments over who should be the King of this supposed  'Beta Israel'. There were many clans fighting for domination, but the population lived relatively free and peaceful.

Outside contact
Countries around the Beta Israeli tribes knew of their existances. Many countries had tried to make contact or establish relationships with the Beta Israeli, but to no avail. The islands were not able to keep good contact with due to the fact that there were already people fighting internally to rule the islands, the islands were relatively far from the coast and the island were pretty useless. The attempts at rule by the Swahili were stopped by the distance between mainland Zanzibar and the Jews refusing to even talk to foreign officials.

The first contact that was made with a foreign country was the United Kingdom of the Netherlands, as when they arrived on Gideonia, they recognized the religion and two Dutch Jews were allowed to set up a small embassy to further relations with the Netherlands.

The finding of gold
Around the year 1523AD, gold was found on the northern island of Solomonia. Most people recognized the ruling Ishakin family on the island as the appointed rulers by God. There was one clan in the south that refuted their legality and when a Swahili ship came by, the clan proposed that the clan would pay with gold if the clan could be a protectorate of the Swahili, after they helped them conquer the Ishakin clan.

The Dutch were sent a message by the Ishakin clan to help them, for which the Ishakin family promised to become a protectorate under the Dutch and further trade. This was accepted by the Dutch and the southern clan was promptly taken over in 1526AD. Beta Israel was founded as Dutch protectorate on the 8th of October, 1526.

More information here
(Time inbetween protectorate and independence here)

Independence
After the change in Dutch politics, the government started decolonizing and the status of protectorate was officially dismissed. To keep the ceremonial date of unification of the 8th of October, this date was also chosen as the official independence day. The country still relies on the Netherlands for protection and foreign policy (which is still isolationist to this day) and still has good ties with them. Beta Israel was asked to join the Nations of the Dutch Crown, but refused as it did not want to engage that much in international politics.