AI en Translation, Pages 426-450
Page 426
To the Honorable Minister of Justice
Presidency of the Legal Codification Bureau
Greetings and respect,
The General Secretariat for Frozen Assets has seized the building
⟦...⟧ endowments of the community without any legal justification. They are:
A - <del>287</del> / 504 Kushan from Royal 57/2 and 4 / 57 Bab al-Agha district
Endowed for the beneficiaries and their endowments are registered in the Real Estate Registry, and the
Secretariat began collecting its revenue for its own account and recording it as a trust in the name of the
Mosaic community ⟦...⟧ and despite all the ⟦...⟧ reviews that have taken place for more
than five years, the General Secretariat for Frozen Assets has not disbursed any of these funds
to be spent by the ⟦...⟧ trustee (the Mosaic community).
2 - There are multiple properties endowed for all the congregation of the Meir Tweg Synagogue, Real Estate
Registry <del>and the</del> General Secretariat for Frozen Assets ⟦...⟧ has seized
them on the grounds that they belong to persons whose Iraqi citizenship was revoked,
while they belong to persons of revoked citizenship, and during our reviews which did
not stop for five years, the esteemed Court of Cassation issued its decision considering
No. 169 and 202 First General Body / 72 and on the date 27 / 7 / 72
these properties are considered an endowment and it ruled against the General Secretariat for Frozen Assets
with the necessity of lifting the seizure and handing them over to the Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews
and disbursing the frozen amounts from the revenue of these endowments. And the
<del>Secretariat</del> executed this judgment according to the procedures at the Baghdad Execution Presidency on 20 / 4 / 72
And despite notifying the General Secretariat of this judgment, it did not take legal action
and did not implement what was stated in it (attached is a copy of the Court of Cassation decision mentioned in paragraph 2)
⟦illegible⟧
Its Law No. 167
That the Mosaic community ⟦...⟧
Page 427
for the year 1963 and its amendments and as
per the publication published in the Iraqi Gazette No. 4109 dated 2/15/1958
and Law No. 27 of 1962 pursuant to this law
and pursuant to this law, the respected <del>Ministry</del> of Finance is <del>the one</del> supervising the work
of our administrative committee, and all the committee's actions are reviewed and monitored <del>by</del>
<del>the Ministry of Finance</del> its reference is this Ministry and the Ministry of Governance.
Accordingly, we present this legal and humanitarian problem to your Ministry
to kindly take what you deem appropriate to establish the truth and remove the injustice and grievance
from our committee
noting that the yield of the endowments of these funds constitutes the largest part of the revenues of
<del>our committee</del> the community, so the delay in not utilizing them <del>will</del> disrupt the work
of the community such that our committee will not be able to spend on schools and charitable institutions
<del>and social</del> from helping the needy, orphans, and widows and securing their livelihood
and treating and medicating their sick, and the committee's inability in its current form to implement
the condition of the endower as well as carrying out its responsibilities assigned according to labor laws
and social security and paying the rights of its workers including employees, teachers, <del>servants</del> and others
among the members of the institutions and servants
We enclose herewith the report of <del>our committee</del> the chartered accountants regarding the audit of the accounts of the Administrative Committee
for Iraqi Jews ending on 3/31/1974, from which it appears that
the endowment and the deficit that occurred for some endowments as a result of <del>freezing</del> the utilization of the total referral
of the frozen funds <del>and the non-utilization</del> of those endowments, including:
that the Menachem Salih Daniel School is purely an endowment for its management and spending on it
and on the needy among its students, however, the General Secretariat of the Association laid hands on
its endowments without legal justification and took its revenues but <del>did not spend</del> refrained from paying the tax
while continuing to occupy the <del>mentioned</del> premises, and this deficit accumulated until it reached
the mentioned amount until 10/1/1974, the amount of <del>42914/244</del> the total value of the debt on the endowment
from the tax marked in red ink (XX) (please see page ⟦...⟧)
<del>from our report</del>
Our committee, which carries out its responsibilities in the best way, is proud of our government's trust in it
Page 428
Mr. Minister
There is no doubt that our community has shrunk significantly due to
a large number of its members, but allow me to clarify to
your attention that expenses have not decreased much despite that
due to the continuation of heavy financial responsibilities on the permanent
formations, including the continuation of the schools managed by
our community (which are Shamash Preparatory School, Frank Iny
Intermediate School, and Menahem Salih Daniel Primary School), noting
that a large number of teachers and students, as these schools
are not limited to Jewish students but include a significant number
from various communities among teachers, instructors, and pupils, in addition
to the necessity of paying the rights of employees and teachers according to
the labor laws <del>Social Security Law No. ⟦39⟧ of 1971</del> and the
Private Teachers Pension Fund more. Furthermore, there is a large number
⟦a few individuals⟧ of needy and unemployed people whom our community provides
with aid according to the conditions of the endower.
We also mention that the <del>wall</del> fence of the community cemetery (Mousawi)
in Al-Habibiya has collapsed and fallen, and the cemetery has become exposed
and disruptive to the surrounding residential neighborhood, and it has become our duty
to re-fence it to preserve the sanctity of the dead <del>and protect the area</del>
<del>from the aspect</del> and the requirements of public health.
Our community <del>that our committee which is honored to meet you</del> is proud to cherish
<del>that our committee which is honored to meet you</del> ⟦with the honesty⟧
with the honesty of the esteemed government and your Excellency's precious trust
Page 429
Continuation of ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧
The matter
We sincerely hope to remedy the problem by paying the ⟦debts⟧ ⟦and results⟧ ⟦accumulated⟧
and all other expenses
arising from the state of slowdown and ⟦current⟧ destitution, and now ⟦in the hands of⟧ ⟦the court⟧
<del>⟦illegible⟧</del> ⟦by methods⟧ legal and which fall outside the ⟦scope⟧ of the Ministry of Justice
in implementation of the law and in payment
to it above, in order to relieve the responsibility from our conscience ⟦to him⟧. Please accept
highest respect
Meer Basri
Chairman of the Administrative Committee
for Iraqi Jews ⟦on behalf⟧
A copy of it to
The Honorable Minister of Interior. Enclosed is a certified copy of the register which included a decision
⟦issued⟧ by the Directorate of Endowments and expenditure balances
Court of Cassation, requesting you to kindly look into the matter in light of the above
And to your Excellency highest respect.
Page 430
Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews
in Baghdad
Telephone No. 83531 President
54
No. L / ⟦1951⟧ / ⟦3⟧
Date ⟦12⟧ / ⟦4⟧ / 197⟦3⟧
Subject /
The Honorable Minister of Justice
Presidency of the Legal Codification Bureau
Greetings,
The member of the Administrative Committee, Mr. Victor Khedhouri Shukur, has traveled outside Iraq.
The Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews took a decision in its eighteenth session held
on 4 / 4 / 1973 to invite the reserve member, Mr. Naji Salman Arab, to replace
the member Mr. Victor Khedhouri Shukur during his absence.
Based on your esteemed ministry's letter No. 6 / 1 / 7 on 11 / 8 / 1971, please
confirm the committee's decision referred to above to appoint Mr. Naji Salman Arab, the
first reserve member, as a member of the Administrative Committee until the return of the original member, Mr. Victor
Khedhouri Shukur, from outside Iraq.
Please accept our highest respect.
⟦signature⟧
Meer Basri
President of the Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews
A copy to: -
Mr. Naji Salman Arab, for your kind information.
Page 431
Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews
in Baghdad
Telephone No. 83531 President
Number: L / 6 / 73
Date: 2 / 5 / 1973
Subject: /
The Honorable Minister of Justice
Presidency of the Legal Codification Bureau
Greetings,
The member of the Administrative Committee, Dr. Victor Shukur, has traveled outside Iraq.
The Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews took a decision in its eighteenth session held
on 9 / 4 / 1973 to invite the reserve member Mr. Naji Salman Arab to replace
the member Dr. Victor Shukur during his absence.
Based on the letter of your esteemed ministry numbered 6 / 1 / 7 / 7 on 11 / 8 / 1971, please
confirm the committee's decision referred to above to appoint Mr. Naji Salman Arab, the
first reserve member, as a member of the Administrative Committee until the return of the original member Dr.
Victor Shukur from outside Iraq.
Please accept our highest respect.
⟦illegible signature⟧
President of the Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews
A copy to: -
Mr. Naji Salman Arab for your kind information.
Page 432
The Honorable Minister of Justice
Presidency of the Legal Codification Bureau
Greetings,
The member of the Administrative Committee, Dr. Khadouri Shukur, has traveled
outside the country. The Administrative Committee for Jews in Iraq has taken a decision
in its twelfth session held on 4/4/72 to invite the
reserve member Mr. Naji Salman Arab to replace the member Dr. Khadouri
Khadouri Shukur for the duration of his absence.
With reference to your esteemed Ministry's letter No. ⟦7/1/1921⟧
on 8/11/71, please confirm the decision of the committee mentioned above by appointing
Mr. Naji Salman Arab, the first reserve member, as a member of the Administrative Committee
until the return of the original member, Dr. Khadouri Shukur, from outside
the country. Best regards.
M. Khadouri
Chairman of the Administrative Committee
A copy to:
Mr. Naji Salman Arab for your information.
⟦signature⟧
⟦illegible stamp⟧
Page 433
54
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Republic of Iraq
Ministry of Justice
Legal Codification Bureau
Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews
Number 757
Date 22 / 5 / 1973
Decision No. :: / 197
File No. :: 7/1/191
Date :: 20 / 5 / 1973
Presidency of the Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews in Baghdad
Your letter L / 951 / 73 on 2 / 5 / 1973
We confirm the appointment of Mr. Naji Salman Arab, the first reserve member, as a member of the committee
for the duration of Mr. Victor Khedhouri Shukur's absence from Iraq.
⟦illegible⟧
Hussein al-Safi
Minister of Justice
Rahim - 17 / 5 of it
Page 434
30
Republic of Iraq
Ministry of Finance
General Directorate of Frozen Assets
Number: 731 / 1
Date: 7 / 11 / 1973
Fiscal Year: 1973 / 1974
Directorate of Frozen Assets Management
Number 757
Date 5 / 11 / 1973
Subject/ Liquidation of The Times Printing and Publishing Co. Ltd.
15373 / 1 in the name of the company
We enclose herewith check number 15373 / 1 in the name of the company
Drawn on Rafidain Bank / Al-Sa'adoon Branch for the amount of (150) one hundred and fifty Dinars
Representing the first installment of your debts owed by the aforementioned company.
Chairman of the Committee
In the name of ⟦...⟧
Copy to / Accounts
Page 435
Presidency of the Mosaic Community
in Baghdad
Telephone No. 83531 President
No. T/: 162 / 73
Date: 16 / 4 / 1973
( 2 )
Subject /
6 - Shaul Shemesh who was arrested from his home on 11 / 10 / 1972
7 - Dr. Abu Daoud who was arrested on 12 / 10 / 1972
8 - Ezouri Shemesh went missing or was arrested on 14 / 10 / 1972
9 - Salim Sadqa " " " " " " 21 / 10 / 1972
10 - Naji Hayatayat who was arrested on 5 / 11 / 1972
11) - Naji Qashtoun and his wife Suad went missing or were arrested on 6 / 2 / 1973
12)
13) - Ezra Qahtan and his brother Salim Qahtan went missing or were arrested on 20 / 3 / 1973
14)
15 - Naim Fattal who was arrested on 21 / 3 / 1973
16 - Fouad Aziz went missing or was arrested on 4 / 4 / 1973
17)
18) - Yehuda Tweig went missing or was arrested on 6 / 4 / 1973 and on the same day
19) his two young sisters Rahma and Aliza were arrested.
20)
21) - Reuben Qashtoun, his wife, and their three children (two boys and a girl) were killed in their home and their property was stolen
22)
23) on 12 / 4 / 1973 and their bodies have not been found yet.
24)
Mr. President
The incidents described above speak for themselves and explain the state of anxiety and terror experienced by the members of
our community, the citizens in this country, hoping for an order to investigate and put an end to our tragedy. May God protect you and care for you
with His eternal providence.
Meer Basri
Acting President of the Mosaic Community
Copy to :-
His Excellency the Vice President of the Revolutionary Command Council, Respected
The Honorable Revolutionary Command Council
His Excellency the Minister of Interior, Respected
His Excellency the Minister of Justice, Respected
His Excellency the Minister of Information, Respected
His Excellency the Governor of Baghdad, Respected
His Excellency the Director of General Security, Respected
His Excellency the Director of General Police, Respected
Page 436
Presidency of the Mosaic Community
in Baghdad
Telephone Number { 83531 President
80452 Secretary
No. T/ ⟦13⟧
Date ⟦19 / 4 / 73⟧
Subject /:
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
The Honorable Militant Leader of the People, Mr. Ahmed Hassan al-Bakr
President of the Republic and Chairman of the Venerable Revolutionary Command Council
Greetings and Great Respect, and thereafter
Further to our letter submitted to your high office under number T / 945 / 73 and dated 29 / 3 / 1973 in which
we requested ⟦conducting⟧ an investigation regarding the disappearance and arrest of a number of members of our community in
abnormal circumstances.
In view of the kindness and care your noble person bestows upon ⟦your children⟧ your children from various sects and minorities, I
dare to add to what was stated in our letter referred to above regarding the continued loss ⟦or arrest⟧ <del>and arrest</del> of members of our community,
the latest of which was the killing of an entire family consisting of five members ⟦...⟧ on 29 / 3 / 1973, i.e., on the day of submitting
our letter, the person named Na'im Fattal was arrested and taken from his home, then on 4 / 4 / 1973 the person named
Shua' Aziz went missing, and on 9 / 4 / 1973 the jeweler named Yehuda Tweig went missing, and on the same day his
two young sisters, Rahma and Eliza, were arrested, and we have not learned about the fate of all of these, and on 12 / 4 / 1973 this
perplexing, heinous, and inhumane incident was committed in broad daylight, the summary of which is the killing of the person named Reuben Qashqush,
his wife, and his three children in his house located in Al-Alwiya on the main street after stealing his money and transporting their bodies
along with their money in broad daylight on the morning of the mentioned Thursday without fear or hesitation.
Mr. Venerable President
The occurrence of these unfortunate incidents and the failure to take measures to eradicate them ⟦made⟧ made all members of our community anxious
about their lives, their belongings, and their fate. So we knock on your high door, seeking mercy and sympathy ⟦to ensure care and the homeland⟧ to ensure our ⟦lives⟧.
We list below the names of the missing, the arrested, ⟦and the killed⟧ :-
1 - Lawyer Ya'qub Abdul Aziz went missing or was arrested on 14 / 9 / 1972
2 - Ya'qub Rajwan " " " " " " " 27 / 9 / 1972
Page 437
Presidency of the Mosaic Community
in Baghdad
Telephone No. { 83531 President
80452 Secretary
( 2 )
No. T /:
Date:
Subject /:
3 - Shaul Rajwan ⟦missing⟧ and was arrested on 9/28/1972
4 - Dr. Ezra Khazam <del>⟦illegible⟧</del> ⟦was arrested⟧ on 10/2/1972
5 - Ibrahim Al-Sayegh was killed in his home and his money was stolen on 10/10/1972
6 - Shaul Shammash was arrested from his home on 10/11/1972
7 - Victor Abu Daoud ⟦missing⟧ was arrested on 10/12/1972
8 - Azouri Shammash ⟦missing⟧ was arrested on 10/14/1972
9 - Salim Sadqa went missing or was arrested on 10/29/1972
10 - Naji Chitiyat was arrested on 11/5/1972
11) - Naji Qashqush and his wife Suad went missing or were arrested on 2/6/1973
12)
13) - Ezra Qahtan and his brother Salim Qahtan went missing or were arrested on 3/20/1973
14)
15 - Naim Fattal was arrested on 3/29/1973
16 - Shua Aziz went missing or was arrested on 4/4/1973 ⟦and on the same day⟧
17) Yehuda Tweig went missing or was arrested on 4/9/1973 then his two young sisters were arrested ⟦in their home⟧
18) Rahma and Eliza . ⟦4/12/1973⟧
19)
20) Reuven Qashqush, his wife and children (two sons and a daughter) were killed and their money stolen and their bodies have not been found yet ⟦the three⟧
21) ⟦in their home⟧
22) ⟦on the same day⟧
23)
24)
Mr. President, the incidents described above speak for themselves and explain the state of anxiety and terror experienced by
the citizens of our community in this country, requesting an order for investigation and putting an end to our tragedy. May God protect you and guard you
with His eternal care.
Meer Basri
Acting President of the Mosaic Community
Page 438
Presidency of the Mosaic Community
in Baghdad
Telephone Number { 83531 President
80452 Secretary
Number T/:
Date:
Subject /: ⟦line⟧
A copy of it to :-
His Excellency the Vice Chairman of the Revolutionary Command Council, Respected
The Venerable Revolutionary Command Council
The Minister of Interior, Respected
The Minister of Justice, Respected
The Minister of Information, Respected
The Governor of Baghdad, Respected
The Director of General Security, Respected
The Police
The Director General of Police, Respected
⟦illegible⟧
Page 439
13 ] Ezra Qahtan and his brother Salim Qahtan ⟦disappeared⟧ or
14 ] were arrested on 3/20/72
Naeem Fattal
15 - <del>⟦illegible⟧</del> disappeared or was arrested on
3/29/72
16 - Ezra Shmuel Aziz disappeared or was arrested on
4/4/72
17 ] Mirza Toros disappeared or was arrested on 4/29/72
18 ] Then his brother Rahim Al-Rasain and Rahim his father were arrested
19 ] <del>⟦illegible⟧</del> (his two sons and a daughter)
20 ] And Moussa Qashqoush, his wife, and his children were killed ⟦and inherited⟧
21 ] their property, and their bodies have not been found yet
22 ]
23 ]
24 ]
Mr. President
The incidents described above speak for themselves and exude
the state of anxiety and terror experienced by the citizens of our community in this
country, hoping for an order to investigate <del>⟦illegible⟧</del> and put an end to our tragedies. May God protect you
⟦...⟧ and guard you with His eternal care.
Acting Head of the Mosaic Community
Copy to:-
His Excellency the Vice President of the Revolutionary Command Council, Respected
The Venerable Revolutionary Command Council
The Minister of Interior, Respected
The Minister of Justice, Respected
The Minister of Information, Respected
⟦...⟧
The Director of General Security, Respected
The Director of General Police
Page 440
His Excellency, the Professor, Commander of the Armed Forces, the Respected Director General
And the Director of Intelligence and Head of the Protection Line and Command of the Revolution, Respected
Greetings and respect, and thereafter
I raise to your high position the verses of
⟦illegible⟧
On the occasion of
Our letter
For I am <del>⟦illegible⟧</del> the undersigned ⟦illegible⟧ below, the Iraqi Jewish citizen ⟦illegible⟧ T.
On the date of 3/29/1974 <del>in which we received</del> in which we received 3/29/74
Regarding what is mentioned about the disappearance of <del>⟦illegible⟧</del> the disappearance of the Iraqi Jewish citizen, these family members
And the arrest and reporting of some members of our community in circumstances
that are unnatural.
And in view of what your generous person possesses of kindness and care for the various sons of
this country from various sects and minorities ⟦illegible⟧
That the pain and feelings of sorrow ⟦illegible⟧ so I dare <del>to ask</del> to present
In our letter referred to above, the continuation of <del>⟦illegible⟧</del> <del>⟦illegible⟧</del> what was mentioned
Against members of our community, the latest of which was ⟦illegible⟧ an entire family consisting of five members
On the date of 3/29/74, i.e., on the day of submitting our technical manual letter to the center
Naeem Fa'al was taken from his home, then on the date of 4/4/74 the person named Shua Aziz went missing
And on the date of 4/9/74 the person named the goldsmith Yehuda Taroub and Jafar went missing
The man who assaulted his two young sisters Rahma and Aliza, and we do not know about
the fate of all of these people.
And even as of the date 4/12/74 this heinous crime was sent, for it was committed
This incident in the heinous and inhumane massacre in broad daylight and by the occurrence
With extreme cruelty in the form of the incident of the killing of the person named Roubin Qashqoush and his wife
And his three children in his home and the contents of the apartment in Al-Rusafa in Al-Alwi
Page 441
on the second general after the theft of his money and ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧
with their money in this year on the date of the morning of the mentioned time
<del>by injustice without fear ⟦illegible⟧</del> laying hands and seizing the right
without fear or hesitation.
Mr. Director General
These <del>painful</del> unfortunate incidents and the failure
to take any measures to eradicate them has made our lives and livelihoods <del>anxious</del> threatened regarding
their lives and property and ⟦illegible⟧ their lives and honor and ⟦illegible⟧
We appeal to you in the name of humanity to secure us regarding
our lives, and we list below the names of the missing and those arrested:
1- Lawyer Yaqub Abdul Aziz, missing or arrested on 9/14/72
2- Yaqub Rahman " " " 9/25/72
3- Shaul Rahman " " " 9/28/72
4- Dr. Ezra Madayim
5- Ibrahim Al-Sayegh, killed in his house garden and his money stolen on 10/2/72
6- Shaul Shukur, arrested from his home on 10/10/72
Military Intelligence on 10/11/72
7- Victor Abu Daoud, missing
8- Nouri Shawash, missing or arrested on 10/12/72
" " " on 10/14/72
9- Ibrahim Al-Sayegh, killed in his home and his money stolen on 10/2/72
9- Salim Sadqa, missing or arrested on 10/28/72
10- Naji Chiyabat, arrested on 11/5/72
11- ⟦illegible⟧ Naji Qashqush and his wife Suad ⟦illegible⟧ missing or
12- arrested on 4/2/72
Page 442
Presidency of the Mosaic Community
in Baghdad
Telephone Number 83531 President
73
145
Number T /: 145
Date: 21 / 3 / 1973
52
Subject /:
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
The Sovereign Militant Leader of the People, Mr. Ahmed Hassan al-Bakr, Respectfully
President of the Republic and Chairman of the Venerable Revolutionary Command Council
Greetings and Great Respect, and thereafter
I raise to your high position signs of veneration and glorification, praising your kindness and care for the various minorities
and sects and their equality in rights and duties with the rest of the citizens, and that encourages me to present a display of what
the members of our community suffer from procedures and the lack of knowledge regarding the fate of some of them.
1 - There is no doubt that the venerable Mr. President has reviewed our letters numbered T / 73/126 and dated
25 / 1 / 1973 (attached herewith with the two petitions) and our telegram dated 21 / 12 / 1972 regarding
the lack of knowledge of the fate of nine individuals from the members of our community who were lost or detained from the date of
14 / 6 / 1972 until 29 / 10 / 1972, and they are Yaqub Abdul Aziz the lawyer and the two brothers
Yaqub Rajwan and Shaul Rajwan, Dr. Ezra Khazam, and the former merchants Muzuri
Shamash and Shaul Shamash, Victor Abu Daoud, Salim Sadqa, and Naji Jitiyat, and we have
not learned anything about their fate.
2 - On the date of 6 / 2 / 1973, the merchant named Naji Qashqush and his wife Suad went missing, and despite
his relatives' inquiries to the officials, they have not received any answer about their fate until now (attached is a copy
of the petition of the wife's father submitted on 21 / 2 / 1973 to your high position).
3 - On the date of 20 / 2 / 1973, the tailor Ezra Qahtan and his brother Salim Qahtan were detained and we have
not learned anything about their fate yet.
My Venerable Mr. President
The lack of knowledge of the fate of the persons mentioned above (despite the inquiries) has made the members of our community
live in fear and anxiety for their lives and their fate, which has made us knock on your high door.
( To be continued )
Page 443
Presidency of the Mosaic Community
in Baghdad
Telephone No. 83531 President
No. T/: 645 / 73
Date: 2 / 3 / 1973
Subject /: ( 2 )
I request your sovereignty, as you are the leader of the people, to kindly order an investigation into the matter, asking
the Almighty to protect you with His care and guide your steps for the good and prosperity of the people.
Please accept the highest expressions of respect.
⟦signature⟧
Munir Basri
Acting President of the Community
A copy to:-
His Excellency the Vice President of the Revolutionary Command Council, respected
The esteemed Revolutionary Command Council, with reference to our telegram dated 12/21/1972 and the petition
submitted by the individual named Saleh Haskeel Ibrahim on 2/21/1973.
The respected Minister of Interior, with reference to our two telegrams dated 12/21/1962
and 1/25/1973 and our meeting regarding the subject and the petition of the individual named Saleh Haskeel Ibrahim
dated 2/21/1973
The respected Minister of Justice
The respected Minister of Information
The respected Governor of Baghdad
The respected Director of General Security
The respected Director of General Police
⟦illegible⟧
Page 446
Presidency of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
Telephone No. 83531 President
No. T/: 829 / 73
Date: ⟦1973⟧
Subject /:
⟦illegible⟧
51
Mr. Professor Aziz Sharif, Respected
Minister of State and Secretary General of the National Council for Peace and Solidarity, Baghdad
My Respected Sir
Allow me to write these few words to you, encroaching upon your precious time dedicated to the struggle, and I salute
in your noble person a struggle of forty years for the sake of lofty human principles, along with the accompanying arrest,
exhaustion, exile, and displacement. And now that you have been prepared to assume the ministerial post and raise your voice high in national
and international forums from India to Chile and from Finland to Africa, I hope you will kindly read our attached
petitions. A community of citizens, no matter how small its number or diminished its status, deserves to be included in
your assistance so that it may obtain its rights just like all other citizens in this progressive, liberated country.
My Respected Sir
The esteemed Revolutionary Command Council, headed by the respected struggling President of the Republic, has
granted the rights of national and religious minorities without exception. Our community's share of this in the year 1969 was a
full and appreciated share; the exceptional laws that used to restrict our actions, limit our rights,
and prevent us from working and conducting transactions, buying, and selling according to the law were abolished. The field of travel was opened to us, our
sons were accepted into universities, and detainees from our community were released. All of this warranted our thanks and appreciation.
We wrote to the Secretary-General of the United Nations two years ago and declared to the press delegations that visited us and continue
to visit us accompanied by Ministry of Information officials, and we announced publicly, praising the government's care, sympathy, and its granting
to us the rights of true citizenship. Then, some authorities and departments began to deprive us administratively of all those rights
that were legally restored to us, as explained in our attached petitions.
I must add that the members of our community are now living in an atmosphere of fear and anxiety due to the disappearance
of a number of Jewish citizens, the latest of whom are Naji Qashqush and his wife, whose disappearance has lasted about
three weeks without any trace of them being found.
In conclusion, I apologize to you for the inconvenience, wishing you health and success.
Please accept the highest respect.
Meer Basri
Acting President of the Jewish Community
Page 447
Presidency of the Mosaic Community:
Special Number: 1721
Date: 22 / 2 / 973
50
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
His Excellency the Struggler, President of the Republic and Chairman of the Revolutionary Command Council, Respected.
Presented to your Excellency
I, the petitioner Saleh Heskel Ibrahim, father of the detainee Suad and her husband Naji Qashqush
Present to your Excellency and cry out to your living conscience and your merciful humanity, as you are our refuge and the protector of our honor and dignity
To return my child Suad to her elderly father.
Mr. President
On 7/2/1973, my daughter and her husband Naji Qashqush were taken, and I informed the Al-Alwiya police
At that time and on that night, the necessary measures for such a case were taken, but the police after one
Day stopped taking any action, clinging to the claim that they had fled despite all evidence pointing to the contrary
Of this very quick conclusion, and thus in such a drama and with such a quick conclusion
I will lose my daughter forever, and her husband.
I implore you and hope from your mercies that you listen to my voice, the voice of the grieving old man who struggled
And sacrificed throughout his life to preserve his honor and dignity. Who has no helper other than your fatherly mercy
And your living conscience, and that you order the release of the girl and her husband, and God does not waste your reward and grants you victory.
Republic of Iraq / National Defense / 20 Fils
Republic of Iraq / 50 Fils
Saleh Heskel Ibrahim
Bataween, Jabr and Hindi Building
A copy of it to:-
The Venerable Revolutionary Command Council
His Excellency the Minister of Interior, Respected
His Excellency the Director of General Security, Respected
His Excellency the Governor of Baghdad, Respected
His Excellency the President of the Mosaic Community, Respected
The President
I have reviewed
⟦signature⟧
Page 448
Presidency of the Mosaic Community
in Baghdad
Telephone Number 83531 President
Number T/: ⟦illegible⟧
Date: ⟦illegible⟧ / ⟦illegible⟧ / 197
Subject /:
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
His Excellency, the Struggling Leader, the Majestic Mr. Ahmed Hassan al-Bakr, Respected
President of the Republic and Chairman of the Revolutionary Command Council - Baghdad
Greetings and respect, and thereafter
I raise to your Excellency signs of veneration and glorification in appreciation of your care for minorities and sects of all kinds in
this homeland, including our community, which you have included in your kindness and assistance.
The venerable Revolutionary Command Council has thankfully abolished all exceptional laws regarding Iraqi Jews
and equated them with the rest of the citizens, and that is a feat recorded for it with ink of pride and honor.
I present to your Excellency that the Ministry of Interior issued several months ago special instructions to refer all
financial transactions related to the members of our community to the General Secretariat for Frozen Funds for the purpose of ensuring
the person concerned retains Iraqi nationality, despite the fact that the person in the transaction holds an identity card for retaining Iraqi nationality.
The General Secretariat for Frozen Funds, in turn, has either started to reject the request or refrain from answering, and by this
it closes all avenues of work in the face of the Iraqi Mosaic, without him being able to dispose of his money and affairs
according to the provisions of the law, and even for the purpose of managing his livelihood, as most members of our community have been unemployed for
years. For example, but not limited to, members of our community are not allowed to conduct the following transactions and actions:-
1 - Conducting any sale transactions for immovable property, mortgaging it, releasing the mortgage, and receiving the mortgage value or the
depreciation value and the interests resulting therefrom.
2 - Selling company shares, receiving their prices, and disposing of founding bonds.
3 - Stopping the sale of cars at the traffic police and transport departments.
4 - Preventing the sale of furniture and personal items.
5 - Stopping financial transactions at the notaries public, power of attorney for others, and the like.
6 - Not enabling the sale of vacant plots of land despite the obligation to pay taxes on them.
The application of these instructions for a period of nearly a year has led to the freezing of our community members and the restriction of their actions.
And since most of them are unemployed, it is difficult for them to manage their livelihood, even for those who own movable
or immovable property, and their situation has become critical with no way out.
(To be continued)
72
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77
⟦...⟧
Presidency of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
Telephone No. 83531 President
Reference No. T/: ⟦...⟧
Date: ⟦...⟧ / 3 / 197⟦...⟧
Department Copy
( 2 )
Subject / ⟦...⟧
Therefore, I have come to your Excellency requesting consideration of the situation of the members of our Iraqi community, who are loyal to this homeland
and who have lived on this soil for thousands of years and shared with all other citizens in good times and bad,
hoping to allow Jewish citizens to enjoy their rights and actions according to the law and within the framework of
the public interest. May you remain, Mr. President, a supporter of humanity and a guardian of the rights of the people.
I ask God to grant you success in leading this country and its children to progress, goodness, and prosperity.
Please accept the assurances of my highest respect.
Meer Basri
Acting President of the Jewish Community
Copy to:-
The Honorable Vice President of the ⟦Revolutionary⟧ Command Council
The Honorable Minister of Interior
The Honorable Minister of Justice
The Honorable Governor of Baghdad
Page 450
Presidency of the Mosaic Community
in Baghdad
Telephone No. 83531 President
No. T/: ⟦illegible⟧
Date: 3 / ⟦illegible⟧ / 197
Subject /:
Department Copy
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
His Excellency, the Struggling Leader, the Venerable Mr. Ahmed Hassan al-Bakr, Respected
President of the Republic and Chairman of the Revolutionary Command Council - Baghdad
Greetings and respect, thereafter
I raise to your Excellency signs of veneration and glorification in appreciation of your care for minorities and sects of all kinds in this homeland, including our community, which you have included in your kindness and assistance.
The venerable Revolutionary Command Council has thankfully abolished all exceptional laws regarding Iraqi Jews and equalized them with the rest of the citizens, and that is an achievement recorded for it with ink of pride and honor.
I present to your Excellency that the Ministry of Interior issued, several months ago, special instructions to refer all financial transactions related to the members of our community to the General Secretariat of Frozen Assets for the purpose of verifying that the person concerned retains Iraqi nationality, despite the fact that the person involved in the transaction holds an identity card for the retention of Iraqi nationality.
The General Secretariat of Frozen Assets, in turn, has begun to either reject the request or refrain from answering, and by doing so, it closes all avenues of work to the Iraqi Mosaic and prevents him from being able to dispose of his money and affairs according to the provisions of the law, even for the purpose of managing his livelihood, as most members of our community have been unemployed for years. By way of example and not limitation, members of our community are not allowed to conduct the following transactions and actions:-
1 - Conducting any sale transactions for immovable property, mortgaging it, releasing the mortgage, and receiving the mortgage value or compensation for expropriation and the interest resulting therefrom.
2 - Selling company shares, receiving their prices, and disposing of nationalized bonds.
3 - Suspending the sale of cars at the traffic police and transport departments.
4 - Preventing the sale of furniture and personal items.
5 - Suspending financial transactions at the notaries public, power of attorney for others, and the like.
6 - Inability to sell vacant plots of land despite the obligation to pay taxes on them.
The application of these instructions for a period of nearly a year has led to the freezing of the members of our community and the restriction of their actions. Since most of them are unemployed, it is difficult for them to manage their livelihood, even for those who own movable or immovable property, and their situation has become critical with no way out.
(To be continued)