Iraqi Jew tells his story in the European Parliament

Flanked by Moise Rahmani and Assist. Prof Carole Basri, JJAC co-chair Iraqi-born Edwin Shuker holds up In the hell of Saddam Hussein, one Baghdad Jew's account of arrest, torture and inprisonment. (JJAC)

Justice for Jews from Arab Countries has now taken its campaign to the European Parliament:

(BRUSSELS) July 1, 2008 - "We lost everything we had," declared Edwin Shuker, a displaced Jewish refugee from Iraq at a hearing in the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium held on July 1, 2008. The European Parliament is the only directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union (EU). Together with the Council of the European Union, it has been described as one of the most powerful legislatures in the world.

The hearing was organized by Paulo Casaca, MEP, with the European Friends of Israel and the B'nai B'rith in association with Justice for Jews from Arab Countries (JJAC), the international coalition of organizations that are seeking justice for the up to one million Jews displaced from Arab countries since 1948. In attendance were Jews with roots in Arab countries including Moise Rahmani from Belgium (born in Cairo) and Prof. Carole Basri of the USA (family from Baghdad).

Shuker, a UK resident and co-Chair of JJAC, said, "Two refugee populations emerged from the Arab-Israeli conflict, both suffered, both were victims and justice requires equal consideration and redress." He continued, "We want to bring the achievements that have been realized in the US, to Europe."

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