According to the definition of the 1951 United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, a refugee is a person who:
With the rise of Arab nationalism in the early 1900s, Jews in what became Islamic lands found that they had become a scapegoat. No longer living under colonial rule, their situation began to worsen. Even prior to the establishment of the State of Israel, Jews found that they were being discriminated against--in many cases, being Jewish was practically outlawed.
In 1948 the Arab League declared all Jewish people enemy citizens, regardless of the fact that several had no will or motivation to leave their homes. Jewish bank accounts and property were confiscated, Jews were arrested and fired from their jobs, and synagogues were attacked. Homes were looted, women were raped and people were killed.
According to official Arab statistics, approximately 900,000 to 1,000,000 Jews left their homes in Arab countries from 1940 until the early 1970s. Over 600,000 resettled in Israel. Their descendants, and those of Iranian and Turkish Jews, now number 3.06 million of Israel's 5.4 to 5.8 million Jewish citizens, thereby accounting for more than half of Israel’s population. The plight of the Jews in Arab lands worsened following the 1967 Six-Day War, prompting the remaining Jews to flee.
Today, fewer than 3,000 Jews remain in Middle Eastern lands, many living in poverty. They also often find themselves the recipients of religious hate-crimes.
In 2007, similar resolutions (H.Res.185 and S.Res.85) were proposed to the US Senate and Congress, to:
Dr. Irwin Cotler, who is a member of the Canadian Parliament, discuses the situation of the Mizrahi Jews and the lack of attention to their plight from organizations like the UN. Dr. Cotler was also Canada's Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada.
As a daughter of indigenous Middle Eastern Jews who were robbed of their birthright, dignity and history, I have always been deeply attached to this issue. The lack of recognition it receives astonishes me. I hope that I can do my part to educate others.
Sources:
Ben-Porat, Mordechai. To Baghdad and Back. Gefen Publishing House, Ltd, 1998.
Bostom, Andrew G. "Recognition for the Silent Jewish Refugees." American Thinker. 16 Jan. 2009.
Laqueur, Walter and Barry Rubin. The Israel-Arab Reader: a Documentary History of the Middle East Conflict. Penguin, 2008.
Lewis, Bernard. The Jews of Islam. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1984.
Roumani, Maurice et.al. The Case of the Jews from Arab Countries: a Neglected Issue. WOJAC Books, 1983.
Shiblak, Abbas. Iraqi Jews. London: Saqi, 2005.
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- Nazism and Radical Islam
- The Forgotten Refugees
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- Don't Forget the Jewish Refugees from Arab Lands
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Owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion, is outside the country of their nationality, and is unable to or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail him/herself of the protection of that country.The Jewish people have had a continued presence in what are known as Arab states today since the Babylonian captivity of around 597 BCE. Discrimination against indigenous Middle Eastern Jews was continuous throughout history, particularly during the period of the rise of Islam.
With the rise of Arab nationalism in the early 1900s, Jews in what became Islamic lands found that they had become a scapegoat. No longer living under colonial rule, their situation began to worsen. Even prior to the establishment of the State of Israel, Jews found that they were being discriminated against--in many cases, being Jewish was practically outlawed.In 1948 the Arab League declared all Jewish people enemy citizens, regardless of the fact that several had no will or motivation to leave their homes. Jewish bank accounts and property were confiscated, Jews were arrested and fired from their jobs, and synagogues were attacked. Homes were looted, women were raped and people were killed.
According to official Arab statistics, approximately 900,000 to 1,000,000 Jews left their homes in Arab countries from 1940 until the early 1970s. Over 600,000 resettled in Israel. Their descendants, and those of Iranian and Turkish Jews, now number 3.06 million of Israel's 5.4 to 5.8 million Jewish citizens, thereby accounting for more than half of Israel’s population. The plight of the Jews in Arab lands worsened following the 1967 Six-Day War, prompting the remaining Jews to flee.Today, fewer than 3,000 Jews remain in Middle Eastern lands, many living in poverty. They also often find themselves the recipients of religious hate-crimes.
In 2007, similar resolutions (H.Res.185 and S.Res.85) were proposed to the US Senate and Congress, to:
Make clear that the United States Government supports the position that, as an integral part of any comprehensive peace, the issue of refugees and the mass violations of human rights of minorities in Arab and Muslim countries throughout the Middle East, North Africa, and the Persian Gulf must be resolved in a manner that includes (A) consideration of the legitimate rights of all refugees displaced from Arab and Muslim countries throughout the Middle East, North Africa, and the Persian Gulf; and (B) recognition of the losses incurred by Jews, Christians, and other minority groups as a result of the Arab-Israeli conflict. S. Res. 85These resolutions were discussed on July 19th 2007 at the bicameral Congressional Human Rights Caucus in preparation for voting.
Dr. Irwin Cotler, who is a member of the Canadian Parliament, discuses the situation of the Mizrahi Jews and the lack of attention to their plight from organizations like the UN. Dr. Cotler was also Canada's Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada.
As a daughter of indigenous Middle Eastern Jews who were robbed of their birthright, dignity and history, I have always been deeply attached to this issue. The lack of recognition it receives astonishes me. I hope that I can do my part to educate others.
Sources:
Ben-Porat, Mordechai. To Baghdad and Back. Gefen Publishing House, Ltd, 1998.
Bostom, Andrew G. "Recognition for the Silent Jewish Refugees." American Thinker. 16 Jan. 2009
Laqueur, Walter and Barry Rubin. The Israel-Arab Reader: a Documentary History of the Middle East Conflict. Penguin, 2008.
Lewis, Bernard. The Jews of Islam. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1984.
Roumani, Maurice et.al. The Case of the Jews from Arab Countries: a Neglected Issue. WOJAC Books, 1983.
Shiblak, Abbas. Iraqi Jews. London: Saqi, 2005.
Related Posts:
- Nazism and Radical Islam
- The Forgotten Refugees
- Yemenite Jewish Community Under Attack (Again)
- Don't Forget the Jewish Refugees from Arab Lands
- Intro to the Farhud
7 comments. Leave a comment:
I look forward to reading what more you write. Please keep up this great work.
--Sergio
Unlike the "Palestinian" Arabs who became refugees because of their fellow Muslim Arabs, our parents don't engage in terrorism. They have moved on with their lives. They had nothing and have received nothing. We lost more than the "Palestinians" ever did. Gee, I wonder if we should start a "FREE EGYPT" and "FREE IRAQ" campaign demanding our land back.
Excellent Reut. I have cross-posted this to fousesquawk and will forward it on to Radarsite and Grizzly Groundswell for extra dissemination.
Gary
Great article. Please join my group dedicated to this issue on facebook by going to: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=5958693163#/group.php?gid=5958693163&ref=ts
Thank you for your article. My partner's family were amongst those refugees and it is beyond belief how little is known about them in the wider world The focus is purely on Palestine.
In his book 'Locked Doors', Itamar Levin estimates some $6-$10b in assets were stolen from the Jews. Many were stripped of small items like cameras, stamp collections and jewellery at the ports from which they sailed.
Two interesting tales from Levantine Jews include 'Man in the White Sharkskin Suit' (Lucette Lagnado) and 'Out of Egypt' (Andre Aciman). Worth a read.
Dear Penny,
Thanks for your recommendations!
This is an issue that has received scant attention despite that a million people suffered. These Jews carry the memory of a completely destroyed civilization with them... it's hard for them as they are Middle Easterners in every sense and were violated by their neighbors/governments.
Best regards,
Reut R. Cohen
There is no question that when the ¨question¨of ¨right of return¨ for the so called palestinains, who even their own leaders have from time to time admitted do not exist, comes to the fore in the UN and elsewhere the real question of those who truly meet the legal definition of ¨REFUGEES¨ must be addressed. Only when and until the full amount of restitution both, in property - real and personal - as well as that for Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (IIED) is accounted for and paid to these refugees and their descendants, can any realistic discussion of return to Israel by other persons be properly opened and even then it can only be addressed in any reasonable manner if and when the true and legal borders of Israel, as per internatonal law are recongnized and bestowed upon her - which would have to include all of what is now Jordan.
Good work.
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