Tekoah Confers with Thant on Plight of Jews in Arab States, Which is Seen Grave

Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Yosef Tekoah, conferred today with Secretary-General U Thant on the situation of Jews in Syria, Iraq and Egypt and reportedly informed Mr. Thant that the plight of Jews in those countries is extremely grave. The visit came against a background of a planned special UN envoy’s visit to study the situation of civilian populations in the war zones. Israel has assented to the mission and has asked that the condition of Jews in Arab states be investigated also. Mr. Thant has not yet appointed the envoy.

According to an Israeli source, authorities in Egypt, Syria and Iraq are responsible for anti-Jewish measures in their countries and have carried on a campaign of anti-Jewish incitement in their State-controlled press, radio and television. Some 250 Egyptian Jews, all heads of families, are still in prison, the source said. Last December they were transferred to Al-Thawra prison near Cairo. They are said to be close to starvation, and have been deprived of all sources of income, employment and property. No charges have been brought against them. “Their only crime is being Jewish.” the source said. The Jewish community of Egypt numbers a little less than 2,500 — about 1,500 in Cairo and 1,000 in Alexandria. They are either stateless or Egyptian subjects, but all live in misery, the source said. Egyptian authorities released some Jewish prisoners, who had been imprisoned during the Six-Day War last year, in December and expelled them with their families. They had to sign statements waiving Egyptian nationality and property rights. Upon leaving Egypt they were permitted to take only personal belongings. The Jewish community was permitted to allocate to each deportee the sum of five Egyptian pounds.

JEWS IN TWO SYRIAN COMMUNITIES REPORTED NEAR STARVATION

The Israeli source said that there are some 3,500 Jews in Syria. About 2,000 live in Damascus, a little over 1,000 in Aleppo and the rest are in Kamishli. Most possess Syrian nationality and a few are stateless or are Iraqi or Iranian nationals. “The Jews of Kamishli and Aleppo are on the verge of starvation,” the source said. “The condition of the Kamishli Jews is particularly serious because the town lies near the Syrian-Turkish frontier and its Jews are constantly harassed on the pretext of security.” Between last August and September a curfew was imposed upon them and they suffered “great hardship and privation,” Their religious objects were publicly burned.

Syrian Jews are not allowed to leave the country and the International Red Cross, as well as several diplomatic missions, have tried unsuccessfully to get exit permits for those who wish to leave. the source said. The Syrian Jews have been confined to ghettoes “where they are subjected to constant pressure and extortion.” They are obliged to carry identity cards with the word “Jew” in red on it.

Some Damascus Jews have been imprisoned. There have been cases of attacks, stoning and threats. The Damascus Jewish cemetery has been desecrated and a paved road laid through it. A Syrian Army circular recently circulated contains a “partial list’ of Jewish shops and addresses, and forbids all Army personnel to deal with them, on pain of severe penalties, the source said.

Since the Six-Day War, Iraqi Jews have been subjected to ever greater restrictions and deprivations. Laws have denied them civil liberties, freedom of movement and employment. Many Jews live in fear of their lives. Authorities including the secret police, have threatened them with murder.

The source said that telephone lines into their homes have been cut, many have been arrested and released only after paying a high ransom. In once such case a girl was arrested and repeatedly raped in prison, the source said. Jewish students have been expelled from universities and schools, and Jews have been dismissed from their jobs.