The World Zionist Organization Executive met today to hear updated reports on the worsening situation of Jews in Iraq and Syria. It issued a call to all governments and enlightened public opinion to fight for their release. The session, chaired by Louis Pincus, was apprised of the murder of the Kashkosh family in Baghdad, the kidnappings of other Jews and persecutions in Iraq. The situation of Syria’s 4000-5000 Jews was also deteriorating, the Executive was told.
The Executive called on Zionist organizations around the world to press governments and public opinion on behalf of Iraqi and Syrian Jews. “The Jewish people and all men of good will shall not give up the struggle until all Iraqi and Syrian Jews are set free,” the Executive declared.
The Knesset resolution on this issue passed yesterday with only the Rakah Communist faction abstaining, stated:
“The Knesset has heard with anguish and anger of the murder in Baghdad of all five members of the Kashkosh family. This murder of an entire family and the disappearance of 16 other Jews prove that the Iraqi Jewish remnant numbering a few hundred souls is subject not only to abductions, arbitrary detentions and torture but to the threat of annihilation.
“The total exodus of the Jews still in Iraq has become the most urgent necessity and applies also to our brethren in Syria who are mercilessly oppressed by the authorities. The Knesset appeals to governments, parliaments and international organizations to intercede immediately with the Iraqi authorities and to demand that they permit the departure of all Jews from that country so that they may reach a safe haven.”
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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.
