The Knesset, Israel’s Parliament, unanimously adopted a resolution at an extraordinary session today expressing “horror and alarm” over the persecution of Jews in Arab countries, notably Iraq, and calling on humanitarian organizations and heads of state all over the world to intervene on their behalf.
The Knesset declared that the only way to save the lives of those Jews was to get them out of the Arab countries. The resolution said Israel would make every possible effort to save them.
The Knesset’s sentiments were echoed by Premier Golda Meir in an emotional speech before the chamber. She said the only salvation for the remaining Jews in Arab lands was their immediate evacuation to any destination. “I appeal to the conscience of the world. Let action be taken immediately for their rescue before it is too late,” she said.
Mrs. Meir said that what she called the “bloody statistics” in Iraq showed that during the past 11 months, 53 persons including 11 Jews have been hanged. Seven other Jews were tortured to death in Iraqi jails and dozens more have been thrown into prison and denied communications with their families and the outside world.
Mrs. Meir contended that the 4,000 remaining Jews in Syria are being persecuted “within an inch of their lives” and that in Egypt, 1,500 Jews live in constant danger and others are imprisoned and are at the mercy of the regime.
Mrs. Meir said that in this situation it was incredible that the prestigious Human Rights Commission of the United Nations sent its emissaries to the Arab capitals to investigate the situation of Arabs in the Israel occupied territories which are open to the world press while it has so far refused to investigate the condition of Jews in Arab lands. The resolution adopted by the Knesset said the situation justified Israel’s demand for such an investigation.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
