AI English Translation, Pages 326-350
(12)
Presidency of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
Date: 2 / 12 / 950
His Excellency the President
There appeared before us today 2 / 12 / 950 Mr.
Khalil Abdul Qadir al-Obaidi, an employee in the Special
Division of the Baghdad Police Directorate, and he presented
his identity card and the order directed to him by his director for the purpose
of guidance regarding the list of names of the priests belonging
to the community (Torah) along with their addresses, and we kindly provided
him with the requested list. I hope to inform you
of this.
Please accept my respect.
⟦illegible⟧
Baghdad on 12 / 2 / 950
(12)
Presidency of the Israelite Community
File Number 950/269/b
Date of Receipt 12 / 2 / 950
His Excellency the Respected President of the Israelite Community
After greetings
I would like to present to your Excellency that the assaults in all Jewish quarters have increased
recently to a degree that the mind cannot imagine. It happened that one of the elderly sheikhs was walking
in Abu al-Saif Street, and one of the armed men hit him with a metal knuckle-duster on his head, and he fell unconscious.
Also, a group of young men began wandering the streets, lying in wait for passing Jews and beating them.
A number of soldiers attacked one of the houses opposite Souq Hanoun in Abu al-Saif, and they warned them
from the house of Al-Akh, and finally I heard the voices of ⟦the girls⟧ calling for relief, so I went out to the roof from the Torah Gate
opposite this house and saved them after they had fallen unconscious.
There are boys going around the houses claiming to be employees whose mission is to register those who wish to leave
Iraq, and this is a lie intended for fabrication for the purpose of assault.
Therefore, I have come to present these matters to your Excellency's attention so that you may take the necessary measures regarding them, knowing that
there are many assault cases occurring from time to time, some individual and some collective.
Please accept the highest respect
Sabih Munshi Hakim
Sabih Munshi Hakim
Abu al-Saad
Elias Shaoul
Eliyahu Shaoul Saleh
Abu Sheil
Maintenance of Order
(14)
Yassin Murad Abu al-Khair attended and stated that his son has a shop in the Obeid neighborhood
where he sells cigarettes, seeds, watermelon, and soap. Three
soldiers have made it a habit to come to the shop at least twice a week and take
soap, a dirham, and a pack of cigarettes for each of them, and they were giving them
reluctantly. He wants help to put an end to that.
⟦signature⟧
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Shimon Sion, owner of a shop for buying and selling fabrics in Al-Bulid,
and Ishaq ⟦Hezekiah⟧, owner of a house in the Torah neighborhood, appeared and claimed that
a person in royal clothing appeared and claimed to be an officer and tried to burn the shop
of the first with the help of soldiers who assisted him, but the servant prevented them
claiming that the shop belonged to Muslims, but they went to the house of the second
who had sold a portion to a Christian and they burned the sofas
and in addition to that, they went to the house adjacent to it and burned
a mattress belonging to it. The police were informed and they arrived and arrested
this alleged officer with the soldiers and they are now detained.
The assaults have increased recently and the Jews are in great panic.
⟦signature⟧
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The Lay Council
of the Israelite Community * Baghdad
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Headquarters of the Major
A group of people from Kirkuk arrived claiming that they have become subject to insults, beatings,
and individual and social assaults. A group of people attacked Saib and his son,
killing him and beating him severely until he fell unconscious. They are crying out for help from the flames of a
provocative group.
They will arrive at 12 o'clock to meet the President today, please.
Presented to the Private [Office]
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02/14
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To the Honorable President of the Jewish Community
Baghdad.
Sir: I submit this letter to your excellency, protesting and representing the Jewish community
in Ramadi, where the residents of the aforementioned city have increased their arbitrariness and individual assaults,
and we have reached a state where it is impossible for our women to appear in the streets, nor for our children. Now, the
pressure has increased, and it has become impossible for men to appear in public cafes or in their shops. An example is the following
incident that occurred in our city yesterday: a person named Karim Ismail al-Khalil
approached a person named Fuad Haboush and asked him for goods on credit, and debts there
cannot be claimed. When the Jew refused to give him, he descended upon him with insults and beatings, assisted
by some passersby and those present. He was beaten, complained, and obtained a medical report for treatment for seven
days, but there is no witness to that. The situation requires calming the defendant's side due to the lack of witnesses.
Since there is no one to help us, take our hand, accept us, and support us except your excellency, and what you are characterized
by in terms of virtuous morals and increasing enthusiasm, it encouraged me to inform you so that you may look into our situation and do what
you see fit to limit these abnormal conditions and lift the injustice from us. May God grant you the best reward, Sir.
14/2/1950
The Loving
Naeem Saqeel Som
From the residents of Ramadi
⟦line⟧
(7)
A group of Kirkuk residents arrived (they refused to give their names) and reported the following:-
1- There is a person named As'ad bin Hajj Arif from the Priadi neighborhood in Kirkuk, and with him a group of evildoers
They attacked on Saturday in the Jewish quarter and assaulted a Jewish person named Munir Shalom Babai
And his brother Ibrahim, and they beat them with hands and sticks and confronted them by hand, and a large crowd of Muslims gathered
And assaulted them and their mother, so he fell unconscious and was taken to the hospital, and none of them were arrested
And they formed a case against them, claiming that he was the one who committed the assault.
2- A group of Jews met with the Governor of Kirkuk Province <del>on 2/12/50</del> and explained these assaults to him. The
Governor contacted the Police Director and asked him for protection, and indeed the Police Director carried out the protection task. However,
On the evening of the mentioned day, a dyer was walking in the street with his son, and a group of
Muslims attacked them and beat him severely until he was taken to the hospital. It was not confirmed whether anyone was arrested or not.
3- Assaults of this type are very frequent, and instead of the assaulted Jew filing a lawsuit, the Muslim
assailant, for whom dozens of Muslims rally, are the ones who testify falsely against him and fabricate the case
against him, and thus the victim is harmed a second time in the courts.
They believe that there are preachers, Mulla Reda the original observer and the head of the Muslim court in Kirkuk,
and Hajj Arif and his son As'ad, who are the leaders of the Priadi neighborhood, are the ones inciting the assaults.
And that this As'ad had wounded the daughter of a Jew and was detained by the investigating judge and later released
from custody. And that all of these people are supported by a person named Abdul Razzaq, an army officer who is the head of
Intelligence in Kirkuk, who closes most tribal lawsuits through mediation.
There is propaganda in Kirkuk saying that these people will incite the tribes there to attack the Jews
after three days.
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2/14
Baghdad 2/12/950
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His Excellency the Acting Head of the Community, the Respected
After greetings and respect
I wish to present to your Excellency that I am a resident of Baghdad, I was in Kirkuk and returned
this Thursday morning. The people of Kirkuk came to me and pleaded with me to personally present
to your Excellency to inform you of the hardships and transgressions they are suffering.
1- The people of Kirkuk are forbidden from leaving Kirkuk to ⟦outside⟧ the ⟦district⟧ in an absolute and official manner.
2- The transgressions are many, and an attack occurred on a group of Jews on Saturday at
four o'clock. One of the Jews was struck with a (pickaxe) on his head and he is bedridden in the hospital,
in addition to the presence of 6 other Jewish persons wounded, beaten, and detained
by the police, while all the Muslims were released and none of them were detained.
The Jews confronted the police and the Governor, and they told them that these are wicked people and nothing
can be done against them.
This situation cannot be described, and the Jews there are definitely in a state of despair.
Please take the necessary measures for the purpose of saving them from this torment, and to you much thanks and respect.
⟦signature⟧
Harun Allahu
Khedhouri Faroushi Mashourjam
House of Harun Jabbouri
(20)
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Salim Khaddouri, a resident of the (Al-Dashti) neighborhood, arrived claiming that
Muslims near his house aforementioned are talking among themselves that a
large demonstration will be held next Saturday in Baghdad and that they
will kill the Jews (and he further claims everyone in their neighborhood)
16 / 2
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(21)
Assaults / 12
⟦line⟧
13/12/950 Daoud Naji - brother of Tahi 2 soldiers
Beaten and insulted by some soldiers
and the price was stolen
Subscription Committee of the Jewish Community
for the benefit of Palestinian refugees and the wounded of
the brave Iraqi army
Baghdad: ⟦line⟧
After greetings and respect,
This committee has obtained permission from the esteemed Ministry of Interior to conduct a subscription for the amount of fifty
thousand dinars to be collected from the members of the Jewish community in Baghdad to aid our brothers, the refugees from the Arabs of
Palestine and the wounded of the brave Iraqi army. We have no doubt that you will take the initiative to contribute to
this noble humanitarian and national project imposed on every Iraqi citizen. We hope that you will kindly
donate the amount of ⟦line⟧ dinars for this purpose, and God does not waste the reward of the doers of good.
With respect to you.
Sincerely,
Rabbi Sassoon Khadduri
Chairman of the Committee
Baghdad District Police Directorate
Administration
(CC)
Number: 6872
Date: 16/2/950
To
Assistant of Disciplinary Police
Subject - Assault
Each of the persons whose identities are listed below attended this directorate claiming that
persons in military clothing, thirty persons, assaulted them on Abu Nuwas Street.
We hand them over to you - Fuad Harun Salih, residing in South Al-Saifi at House 29. Anwar
Tawfiq and his brother Munir Tawfiq, residing in Bustan Kubba, House No. 1/1/2
To conduct the necessary investigations and inform us of the result.
Director of Baghdad District Police
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⟦Bahjat⟧ ⟦illegible⟧
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The Lay Council
of the Israelite Community * Baghdad
⟦line⟧
(2)
To the honorable Mr. Nassim Habba, respected
After greetings
The bearer claims that her husband has abandoned her for seven years
and she has two daughters and a son with no one to support them after
her husband's brothers abandoned her. She is requesting assistance for the purpose of
paying their school fees to the Kuttab schools.
Please look into her case and assist her if possible, and with
thanks.
8/1/950
The Secretary
Baghdad on 9 / 2 / 950
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Honorable Acting Head of the Community
Presidency of the Israelite Community
950 / 922 / T
9 / 2 / 950
After greetings and respect
I would like to present to your Excellency that my husband, named Abdullah Ezra Saleh
had abandoned me seven years ago to an unknown destination and left behind two daughters
and a son with no one to support them at the present time, especially since my husband's brothers were
previously supporting these children and paying their school fees. However, they have left us now
and do not agree to support them or even pay the fees for them.
The school principal has expelled them now for non-payment of fees. Shall they remain
without school while I have no helper or provider? I hope your Excellency will be so kind
as to provide possible assistance to enroll them in schools for free, noting that
their names and the schools they are entitled to are listed below:-
Saleh Ezra | Al-Rafidain School (Beit Da'bool) | Remaining fees 2.750 Dinars
Amal Ezra | Al-Rafidain School (Beit Da'bool) | Remaining fees 2.100 Dinars
Dina Ezra | Al-Rafidain School (Beit Da'bool) | Remaining fees 2.100 Dinars
⟦line⟧
950 / 4
Please accept my highest respect
Toba daughter of Ezra
Kammouna - Baghdad
Rashid Club - Baghdad
PHONE No. 3544
Presidency of the Jewish Community
Baghdad
No. ⟦illegible⟧
Date ⟦illegible⟧
(25)
Baghdad on 16 / 2 / 50
Honorable Secretary of the Jewish Community
After greetings and respect
Please approve the holding of a general meeting for the General
Assembly of our club at your esteemed headquarters on 28 / 2 / 50
at four-thirty in the evening, and many thanks to you.
Sincerely
Honorary Secretary
Saleh Sulaibi
(26)
Submitted M J 950/2/26
T/ 950/8294
20 / 2 / 1950
⟦Department Copy⟧
The Honorable Honorary Secretary of Al-Rashid Club
Greetings,
With reference to your letter dated 16 / 2 / 950.
We have no objection to holding the General Assembly meeting of your club at the
headquarters of the Community Presidency at four-thirty in the afternoon on Tuesday,
28 / 2 / 1950.
Please accept our respects;
Acting Head of the Community
President of the Lay Council
A / 2 / 19
Rashid Club - Baghdad
PHONE NO. 3544
Rashid Club - Baghdad
6487
Telephone: <del>3544</del>
2/1/50
Baghdad
To the Honorable Secretary of the Presidency of the
Jewish Community
Greetings,
In view of the lack of a quorum on 1/28/50,
please approve the holding of a general meeting of the General Assembly
for this club on Monday, 2/20/50, and with
thanks.
Club Secretary
⟦Signature⟧
Not approved
Postpone ⟦the study⟧ until a time that ends
with the attendance ⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧ 2/2
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Gaddaa dal didan O AZS FI dioun After greetings and respect (( ( ^ ) His Excellency the Director of Police of Liwa "Baddad I present to Your Excellency that the members of the Musawi sect residing in the district of Mandali have recently been facing great difficulties in their movements outside the district and in returning to the district of Mandali as well. It is not hidden from Your Excellency that most of them are people whose work forces them to travel outside the district, especially Baghdad, to carry out their necessary tasks. However, when they finish their work, it is very difficult for them to return to their permanent headquarters, which is the district of Mandali, and often it is completely impossible for them to return because of the difficulties they encounter. The drivers of Mandali cars refuse to transport them in their cars under the pretext that the police of the Diyala Bridge in Baqubah arrest the driver and return him, with his car, to Baghdad with its passengers again. Sometimes the police demand certificates of non-attack, but it is difficult for us to obtain them when we go to the police departments. Therefore, I have come with this petition of mine I beg of you to take the necessary measures to lift these restrictions, knowing that a large group of the people of Mandali are now forced to remain in Baghdad and have no one to support them and their families in the district of Mandali. In the hope that this petition of ours will receive your attention, please accept my sincere thanks and regards 195/2/16 Trama Director of the facts Cupping according to the custom Rahba 1/17 Karji Ibrahim Al-Sanea from the people of Manda
(22)
His Excellency the Director of Police of Baghdad Brigade
After greetings and respect
I submit to your Excellency that the members of the Jewish community residing in Mandali District have
recently begun to encounter great difficulties in their movements outside the district and in returning to Mandali District
as well.
It is no secret to your Excellency that most of them are persons whose business forces them to travel outside
the district, especially to Baghdad, to attend to their necessary affairs; however, when they finish these tasks, it is very
difficult for them to return to their permanent residence, which is Mandali District, and often it is completely impossible for them to return due to what they encounter
of difficulties. The drivers of Mandali cars refuse to transport them in their vehicles under the pretext that the Diyala Bridge police in Baqubah
arrest the driver and detain him with his car to Baghdad with its passengers again, and sometimes the police demand certificates of non-
objection, yet it is impossible for us to obtain them when we approach the police departments.
Therefore, I have come with this petition of mine, imploring your justice to take the necessary measures to lift these
restrictions from us, noting that a large group of the people of Mandali are now forced to remain in Baghdad and have no one
to support them or support their families in Mandali District.
Hoping that this plea of ours receives your Excellency's attention, please accept, sir, the highest expressions of gratitude
and respect;
Gurji Ibrahim Al-Sayegh
From the people of Mandali
For filing and miscellaneous
Baghdad 22 / 1 / 950
Presidency of the Israelite Community
T / 952 / 95
1 / 2 / 95
(29)
⟦illegible⟧
Edward
Saleh
Presidency of the Israelite Community
Baghdad
Chevra
Kadisha
Saleh
Yaqub
Number - T / 1205 / 95
Date - 5 / 2 / 95
Referred originally to the Spiritual Council - Acting Head of the Community
To provide an opinion on this matter - Head of the Lay Council
The Spiritual Committee of the Jewish Community
Baghdad, may God protect it
The Israelite Spiritual Council
in Baghdad
⟦line⟧
Presidency of the Israelite Community
Number ⟦illegible⟧ 950/921/T
Date 7 / 4 / 950
(20)
Number: 162
Date: 7 / 4 / 1950
His Excellency the President of the Lay Council, Respected
Reference to the margin of the petition number T / 950/1205 dated 5 / 2 / 1950
We inform you that the plaintiff Simha Yusuf has obtained a judgment for alimony against her husband
Saleh Shaul in the amount of three dinars per month. The alimony remains even if the husband
has changed his religion.
As for what concerns assisting the wife, this is up to your respected council.
We return the petition to you enclosed, please accept our respect
Salman Murad
Kabuya
The President
For filing ⟦signature⟧
(71)
Baghdad on 16 / 3 / 1950
His Excellency the Director of Baghdad District Police, Respected
After greetings and respect
I request that you allow me to present the following to your Excellency :-
I am from the city of Amarah and my business required me to come to Baghdad. After finishing
my business, I decided to return to my city, but when I checked the car garages that transport passengers
to Amarah, they refused to transport me with my family on the pretext that they are prohibited from transporting us by the police for fear of the car
being seized on the road and returned to Baghdad. We have spent about three weeks in Baghdad and we are
waiting and our business is stalled. I wish to present to your Excellency that there are about ten people with me
stuck in Baghdad for this reason, and they have no one to support them or support their families in Amarah.
Therefore, I have come with this petition to seek mercy from your Excellency to take the appropriate measures
and issue the necessary orders to allow us to return to our place of work in Amarah and not to be harassed on the road.
Please, your Excellency, accept my utmost thanks and respect ;
Youssef Munshi
From the people of Amarah (Barber)
For filing / Travels
Mr. Maher
1- Mr. Ibrahim should be contacted
to inquire from him about the endowments of
⟦...⟧ school. Please inform me
of the result.
⟦signature⟧
2/21
5214
Handed over sister
I called Mr. Ibrahim regarding that, and he informed me that
since he took over the management of Rajokmiya School, he used to receive from
this endowment about two dinars annually, and since the year
1929 it stopped, and he does not know the reasons. He believes that it is
advisable to clarify that from the director of Al-Bir Or
Alwa school, perhaps the accumulated amounts since the year 929
until now can be gained.
The director of
Al-Bir and Or Alwa school ⟦...⟧ must also be contacted, attempting
to find out to whom this endowment went? Must ⟦...⟧
⟦signature⟧
2/26
V252