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IJA 3718
Newspaper; Correspondence from the Jewish Community; History of Jews in Iraq
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These are archival documents from the Baghdadi Jewish Community. They include a newspaper with lost/missing notices, a chart of flights, a letter to the editor; and correspondence regarding a synagogue, the Jewish community within Iraq, Iraqi Jews living outside Iraq, and Zionism. There is a brief history of Jews in Iraq, which talks about the impact of changing laws on the community and the July 17, 1975 Ba’ath Party Revolution. These documents reflect the Baghdadi Jewish community's name change to the Mosaic community.
AI en Translation, Pages 1-25
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The Mosaic Community in Baghdad Phone: 83531 Number T /: Date: 11/1/1976 Subject /: 8 Mr. Editor-in-Chief of the esteemed Al-Thawra newspaper, respected Greetings and respect, As the spokesperson for the Mosaic community in Iraq, I answer with pride your question (As you are the spokesperson for the Jewish community that does not believe in Zionism, what is your opinion on the role that Jewish communities can play in order to invalidate the Zionist claim that alleges Zionism is the spokesperson for the Jews?) Before delving into this subject, I would like to establish that Zionism is a political movement that has no relation to the Mosaic religion as the divine religions, including the Mosaic religion, came for peace and to guide humanity to the paths of goodness, uprightness, and equality, and did not urge racism, discrimination, and preference, which were first and last the cause for all human setbacks and for offering <del>⟦illegible⟧</del> sacrifices, victims, and woes as a result of wars and for delaying humanity culturally, socially, scientifically, and health-wise. Therefore it is necessary to:- 1 - The heads and intellectuals of the Mosaic communities must explain to the members of their community the religious and jurisprudential foundations and to not link Zionism and the Mosaic religion. Zionism is a racist political movement and it brings woes and disasters upon them and upon others. Then ask them to adhere to the true religion without paying attention to the malicious political matters that contradict lofty and humanitarian principles. 2 - The countries that fight Zionism must focus their media ⟦regarding it⟧ on the propaganda against Semitism and the fight against Jews (without differentiating between Judaism and Zionism) and to treat the Jews among their citizens just like other citizens, for they have rights and duties equal to those of their fellow citizens. 3 - The heads and intellectuals of the Mosaic communities must embody their media in what Zionism does of racial discrimination between Eastern Jews and Western Jews in all fields, social, cultural, and economic. 4 - Stay away in the media from propaganda for Zionism as being capable of scientific, cultural, and military achievements. On this occasion, I would like to affirm what the Revolutionary Government, the July 17 Revolution and its leading party, the Arab Ba'ath Socialist Party, has done in its adherence to lofty and humanitarian principles by issuing its historical, revolutionary, and humanitarian decision allowing Iraqi Jews whose Iraqi citizenship was revoked to return to their dear homeland, Iraq, where they and their fathers have lived for more than two thousand five hundred years. In the end, I pray to the Almighty to guide us and that the rest of the Arab and anti-Zionist countries follow what the revolutionary Iraqi government has done in terms of non-discrimination and equating Jews with the rest of the citizens in rights and duties. (to be continued)
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7 Mr. Commander, the Fighter, the Majestic, Ahmed Hassan al-Bakr, the Respected President of the Republic Mr. Fighter, Mr. Saddam Hussein, the Respected Vice Chairman of the Revolutionary Command Council In the name of the members of the Jewish community in Iraq, I offer your excellencies the purest expressions of thanks and gratitude for issuing your historic revolutionary decision allowing Iraqi Jews whose citizenship was revoked to return to Iraq, to their dear homeland where they and their ancestors lived for a period exceeding 2500 years. This blessed decision supports equality between various religions and rejects all forms of racial and religious discrimination, and accurately expresses the lofty principles of the revolutionary government and its leading party, the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party. In the name of the Jewish community, rejoicing in this blessed decision, we pledge to you and to the leading party that we will always and forever remain attached to the soil of this dear homeland and loyal to it and to the revolutionary government. May God protect you and those working with you for the good, prosperity, and pride of this dear homeland. Roubin Naji Elias Acting Head of the Jewish Community ⟦line⟧ Name: Roubin Naji Elias Title: Acting Head of the Jewish Community Date: 11 / 30 / 1975 Signature: ⟦illegible⟧
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7 The Leader, the Fighter, the Formidable Ahmed Hassan al-Bakr, President of the Republic, Respected The Fighter, Mr. Saddam Hussein, Vice-Chairman of the Revolutionary Command Council, Respected In the name of the members of the Mosaic community in Iraq, I offer your Excellencies the purest expressions of thanks and gratitude for issuing your historic revolutionary decision to allow Iraqi Jews whose Iraqi citizenship was revoked to return to Iraq, to their dear homeland where they and their fathers lived for a period exceeding 2500 years. This blessed decision supports equality between various religions and rejects all forms of racial and religious discrimination, and accurately expresses the lofty principles of the revolutionary government and its leading party, the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party. In the name of the Mosaic community, which is heartened by this blessed decision, we pledge to you and to the leading party that we will always and forever remain attached to the soil of this dear homeland and loyal to it and to the revolutionary government. May the Lord protect and preserve you and those working with you for the good, prosperity, and pride of this dear homeland. Roubin Naji Elias Acting Head of the Mosaic Community Name: Roubin Naji Elias Address: Acting Head of the Mosaic Community Date: 30 / 11 / 1975 ⟦handwritten signature⟧ Signature S
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6 1 - The number of Iraqi Jews in 1948 was 150 thousand Iraqis and about 20 thousand foreigners. 2 - Iraqi Jews practiced various occupations in Iraq, including artisans, merchants, earners, farmers, and laborers, and their distinction was in trade and industry. 3 - Jews in Iraq had a major role in spreading culture and urbanization in Iraq since the Ottoman era until the date of their migration from Iraq. 4 - Reasons for migration: the complete agreement between the colonizers (the British), the Zionist Organization, and the local authority during the Royal era. These three pillars agreed and carried out the deportation of Jews from Iraq. 5 - The Jews did not have any special privileges; they were Iraqi citizens equal in rights and duties like other Iraqi citizens. The Jewish family is cohesive for the following reasons:- 1 - Mosaic jurisprudence mandated marriage (marriage with the intent of reproduction and the permanence of preserving the human race is an obligation on every Jew) 2 - No polygamy. - 3 - Difficult and coercive jurisprudential restrictions for divorce and separation. 6 - Since Iraqi Jews were among the original inhabitants of Iraq for thousands of years, their customs and traditions are similar to the customs and traditions of the rest of the Iraqis. 7 - Regarding the applicable penal and religious laws, there are no penalties for a Jewish man or woman who changes their religion. 8 - The Jewish youth always aspires to educate himself and prepare himself to serve his homeland and elevate its status. Furthermore, the Jewish family is bound to and preserves its Iraqi ⟦heritage⟧ and is attached to the soil of this dear homeland. ⟦illegible⟧
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I am speaking to you now from the presidency of the Jewish community in Baghdad, where I am meeting with Mr. Naji Chechak, the retired lawyer and secretary of the Jewish community. The Revolutionary Command Council's decision calling for the return of Iraqi Jews has undoubtedly caught your attention. In my opinion, this decision is more of a revolutionary decision than a humanitarian one. It is in line with human rights, as the group of Iraqi Jews who left Iraq did not leave by choice but were forced, and with the issuance of this important revolutionary decision, the Jewish community in Iraq has welcomed it, and it pledges to the political leadership of the party and the revolution total loyalty to the soil of this homeland and its revolutionary leadership in a way that achieves more prosperity and progress for our country and the fraternity of all religions in this dear homeland. I firmly believe that this decision represents the decisive response to the racist Zionist logic and accurately expresses the seriousness of the principles to which the political leadership is committed regarding human rights, especially since the Jews who left Iraq in the past are immigrants who do not enjoy any nationality after their Iraqi nationality was revoked. I repeat my thanks and pride in this historic decision, which will undoubtedly find a deep resonance among various international circles.
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5 Broadcast live at 11:00 AM on Friday 11/28/1975 To:- I am speaking to you now from the headquarters of the Mosaic Community in Baghdad, where I meet with Mr. Naji Chachak, the retired lawyer and secretary of the Mosaic Community. The Revolutionary Command Council's decision to invite back Iraqi Jews has undoubtedly caught your attention: This decision, as I believe, is a revolutionary decision more than a humanitarian one. It is in line with human rights, as the group of Iraqi Jews who left Iraq did not leave by choice but were forced, and with the issuance of this important revolutionary decision, the Mosaic Community in Iraq rejoiced in it, and it pledges to the political leadership of the Party and the revolutionaries complete loyalty to the soil of this homeland and its leadership Revolutionary in a way that achieves more prosperity and progress for our country and the fraternity of all religions in this dear homeland. And I firmly believe that this decision represents the decisive response to the racist Zionist logic and accurately expresses the seriousness of the principles to which the political leadership is committed regarding human rights, especially since the Jews who left Iraq in the past are immigrants who do not enjoy any nationality ⟦...⟧ after their Iraqi citizenship was revoked. I reiterate my thanks and pride in this historic decision, which will undoubtedly find a deep resonance among various international circles.
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Broadcast live at 11:00 AM on Friday, 11/28/1975 To: - I am speaking to you now from the headquarters of the Jewish Community in Baghdad, where I am meeting with Mr. Naji Chachak, retired lawyer and secretary of the Jewish Community. The Revolution Command Council's decision to invite Iraqi Jews has undoubtedly caught your attention: I believe that this decision is a revolutionary decision more than a humanitarian one. It is consistent with human rights. The group of Iraqi Jews who left Iraq did not leave by choice, but were forced. With the issuance of this important revolutionary decision, the Jewish Community in Iraq rejoiced, and it pledges to the political leadership of the state and the revolution complete loyalty to the soil of this homeland and its revolutionary leadership in a way that achieves more prosperity, progress, and brotherhood for all religions in this beloved homeland. I firmly believe that this decision represents the decisive response ⟦to⟧ the racist Zionist logic and accurately expresses the seriousness of the principles to which the political leadership is committed regarding human rights, especially since the Jews who left Iraq ⟦are⟧ displaced persons who do not enjoy any nationality after their Iraqi citizenship was revoked. I repeat my thanks and pride in this unique historical decision, and it will undoubtedly find a deep echo among various international circles.
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Presidency of the Mosaic Community in Baghdad Telephone No. 83531 President Number / Date 12 / 8 / 1975 Subject / Interview of the Presidency of the Mosaic Community with Locarno TV (Switzerland) with its translation on 12 / 8 / 1975. A 1 - The number of Iraqi Jewish souls at the present time is about 500 people, and in 1950 the number of Iraqi Jews was one hundred and fifty thousand people, and with them twenty thousand foreigners, Abrahamic and others. This number shrunk as a result of the war of foreign hands and the previous defunct governments to this small portion. They fought them culturally, financially, and socially, which forced them to leave Iraq. And until the arrival of the July 17 Revolution government, which removed the existing restrictions, so the Jewish individual began to enjoy his rights such as the right to employment and the proper practice of religion, given the tolerance of the Muhammadi religion, and their students began entering schools of all levels from elementary to university without any restriction or condition. Also, this shrinkage was the result of the travel of the Jew and upon his failure to return to Iraq within three months, Iraqi citizenship would be revoked. And with the issuance of this recent decree, this blessed decree, I believe that the law of revoking citizenship from Jews has been cancelled, as have some of the existing restrictions. The Jew in Iraq at the present time carries out his various religious activities without any objection. A 2 - The Jews are among the oldest inhabitants of Iraq and have merged with the Iraqi people in all their activities, and with the issuance of this blessed law, there is no doubt that a large portion of Iraqi Jews will return to Iraq, and the reason is first the removal of restrictions and the cancellation of the law of revoking citizenship, for the Jewish individual will know that he will enjoy his full freedom in this country, which is his original homeland, and on the other hand, the Iraqi Jew at the present time is considered an immigrant in countries, an expatriate and an immigrant living without citizenship. Citizenship is a natural right for every individual, while the Iraqi Jew today in Europe, America, and elsewhere is an immigrant without citizenship, and it is not possible for him to remain in this situation after the Iraqi government allowed him to return to his dear homeland, this homeland which he enjoyed and shared with his Iraqi brothers in their joys and sorrows since the ancient Babylonian era, meaning for more than two thousand five hundred years. Also, the Revolution government, the July 17 government, made the Jew enjoy his cultural and social freedom completely, so he performs, as I indicated previously, his religious rituals with full freedom and has his official religious holidays established in the Official Holidays Law.
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Presidency of the Mosaic Community in Baghdad Telephone Number 83531 President Number T/⟦...⟧ Date 12 / 8 / 1975 Subject / Talk of the Presidency of the Mosaic Community to Locarno Television (Switzerland) with its translation on 12 / 8 / 1975. A 1 - The number of Iraqi Jews at the present time is about 500 people, and in the year 1950 the number of Iraqi Jews was one hundred and fifty thousand people, along with twenty thousand foreigners such as Iranians and others. This number shrunk as a result of the struggle of foreign hands and the previous defunct governments to this small portion. They fought them culturally, financially, and socially, which forced them to leave Iraq. Until the arrival of the July 17 Revolution government, which removed the existing restrictions, the Jewish individual began to enjoy his rights such as the right to employment and the right to practice religion due to the tolerance of the Muhammadan religion, and their students began to enter various schools from elementary to university without any restriction or condition. Also, this shrinkage was a result of the traveler Jew when not returning to Iraq within three months, his Iraqi citizenship would be revoked. With the issuance of this last decision, this blessed decision, I believe that the law revoking citizenship from Jews has been abolished, as some of the existing restrictions have been abolished. The Iraqi Jew at the present time carries out his various religious activities without any objection. A 2 - Jews are among the oldest inhabitants of Iraq and they have integrated with the Iraqi people and in all its activities, and with the issuance of this blessed law, there is no doubt that a large part of the Iraqi Jews will return to Iraq, and the reason is firstly the removal of restrictions and the abolition of the law revoking citizenship, so the Jewish individual will know that he will enjoy his full freedom in this country which is his original homeland, and on the other hand, the Iraqi Jew at the present time is considered an immigrant in countries, an expatriate and an immigrant living without citizenship. Citizenship is a natural right for every individual, while the Iraqi Jew today in Europe, America and others is an immigrant without citizenship, it is not possible to remain in this situation after the Iraqi government allowed him to return to his dear homeland, this homeland which he enjoyed and shared with his Iraqi brothers in their joys and sorrows since the ancient Babylonian era, meaning for more than two thousand five hundred years. Also, the government of the revolution, the July 17 government, made the Jew enjoy his full cultural and social freedom, as he performs, as I indicated previously, his religious rituals with all freedom, and has his official religious holidays established in the official holidays law.
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- 1 - Answer 1. At ⟦present⟧, Jews in Iraq number about five hundred. In the year 1950, Iraqi Jews numbered around one hundred and fifty thousand. In addition, there were at that time another twenty thousand Jews of different nationalities, mainly, Iranians. The number of Iraqi Jews has since dwindled as a result of the pressure to which they were subjected, partly through the intrigues of some interested foreign powers and partly through the now-obliterated rulers of past-time Iraq. Under such circumstances, the Iraqi Jew had no other alternative but to leave the country in the face of the exceptional and restrictive measures which were applied against him then, and which at the time, meant the complete denial of his rights as a citizen: economically, socially, and culturally. This was the case, till the Revolution of the 17th of July came, and with it the restrictive measures against the Iraqi Jew were no more. Now, the Iraqi Jew can again obtain employment. Boys and girls of Jewish faith are now allowed to join schools and colleges at all levels without any restrictions. ⟦Iraqis⟧ of Jewish faith have always enjoyed the freedom of worship, thanks to the tolerance of Islam as a religion. One of the laws which was instrumental in the decline of the number of Jews in Iraq, is the de-nationalization law. According to this law, any Iraqi of Jewish faith would immediately lose his Iraqi nationality if he does not come back within three months of his departure from Iraq. However, the historic decision which has been taken lately, allowing Iraqi Jews to return to their homeland and to enjoy full citizenship as other Iraqis do---this blessed decision, I believe, implies the abolition of the de-nationalization law as well as all other restrictions. As I mentioned before, Iraqis of Jewish faith have always enjoyed and are still enjoying freedom of worship. ⟦Answer 2.⟧ The Jews were among the most ancient peoples who lived in Iraq. Since the beginning, they assimilated themselves and became active partners with the people of this country, sharing equally the ups and downs of its long history. And now, after the blessed decision which has recently been taken, a great number of Iraqi Jews are expected to return, knowing that they will enjoy their full right of citizenship in Iraq, their real home, after the de-nationalization law has been abolished and other restrictions have been removed. At present, many an Iraqi Jew is living the life of a displaced person in different parts of the world such as Europe, America and other countries, being deprived from his nationality which is one of the human rights of every individual to acquire. It is only natural now for such a person to return home, to the dear and sweet home, in which he as well as his ancestors lived and worked since the time of the Babylonians, a period which extends to more than two thousand and five hundred years back, sharing together at all times the ups and downs of history with the people around him. Thanks to the Revolutionary Government of the 17th of July, the Iraqi Jew is now enjoying full freedom, from the social and cultural points of view. And, as I mentioned before, he also enjoys freedom of worship and has his religious yearly holidays officially instituted by law. Baghdad, 8/12/1975.