An Iraqi author has for the first time written about the role of the Istiqual independence party in setting off bombs to scare the Baghdad Jewish community in 1950. The assertion may now put an end to decades of speculation regarding who was behind the bombings.
In a book in Arabic about the history of Zionism in Iraq, Abdul Kader mentions that the nationalist Istiqlal party was responsible for the bombs. Hitherto controversy has surrounded the incidents. Some Iraqi Jews themselves have pointed the finger of blame at the Zionist underground. Mordechai Ben Porat, the leading Mossad operative, has always protested his innocence and in the 1960s even sued an Israeli magazine for libel. He won his case, but a cloud of uncertainly has always hovered over him.
The only fatal bombing took place at the Messouda Shemtob synagogue in January 1951. It was being used as a registration centre for Jews seeking to emigrate to Israel.
Muslims threw 1951 Iraq synagogue bomb
An Iraqi author has for the first time written about the role of the Istiqual independence party in setting off bombs to scare the Baghdad Jewish community in 1950. ??
ReplyDeleteLet listen for another source:
Shimon: Baghdad, IraqJun 19, 2014
ReplyDeleteOn the eve of World War I, in the last days of the Ottoman Empire, the Jews completely dominated Iraqi trade, foreign as well as domestic. After the war, and while under British rule, the political situation of the Iraqi Jews improved further as did their education. Following the establishment of the monarchy in 1921, few Iraqi Jews were elected to parliament, and one Jew became a minister. Many Jewish intellectuals had graduated from the Iraqi Jewish educational system, speaking Arabic, Hebrew, English, and French.
During the 1920s, the Zionist movement had also made its way to Iraq. This marked the beginning of the deterioration of the Jews of Iraq. From 1929 onward, Jews were persecuted for Zionist beliefs and activities. Many Hebrew language teachers who had come from Palestine were forced to leave. Iraq became an independent state in 1932. Its 2,500-year-old Jewish community began to suffer horrible persecution since that time,
A Brief History of 2600 Years of Jewish Presence in Iraq
By Maurice Shohet, March 2004
Also you should read what Dr Zvi Yahuda artical (New Evidence of Zionist Activity in Iraq, 7 Nov 2014)
They formed a Zionist organization, which win approval by the authorities, and began intensive work for mighty exodus to Eretz Isreal., with great financial support for the national endeavour and extensive activity, communal and individual, to purchase land in country in order to migrate and settle there.
The importance of aliya and the attachment to the Jewish tradition influenced the Iraqi Jews’ attitude to Eretz Isreal. For them aliya and settlement were not an abstraction but immediate reality
This document is not an absolute proof and will never lay the matter of bombing to rest. Incidentally this refers to the incident in March 1950 and not the major incident on Massuda Shemtob Synagogue in January 1951. There is also the famous Lavon Affair in Egypt where Zionist were blamed for placing bombs. Lavon admitted the failed attempt and conceded that it was not the first attempt by Israel; Iraq was the first. Most Iraqi Jews believe that the Tanoua actually did the deed, though without solid evidence, and this is characterised by Eli Amir's story, The Dove Flyer. The Zionists will insist that they played no part in the bombing. Other theories relate to the bombs thrown April-June 1951 and there is a theory that they were committed by Tanoua members independently, without direction from Mossad. I am afraid this is a long subject that will not be resolved by a single blogg.
ReplyDeleteIt is difficult to lay these accusations to rest other than the fact that, in due course, history would bury it under the archives.
First of all, there were several bombings at various times in 1950 and 1951. Each one could have been perpetrated by a separate organization for separate motives of its own.
ReplyDeleteSeondly, if I am not mistaken many many Jews had already signed up to leave Iraq by March 1950. So were bombs necessary in March 1950 to encourage Jews to register to leave?
Thirdly, what was the weight of the memory of the 1941 Farhud? Could that event not have been enough of an incentive for Jews to leave, although perhaps not for the very rich who could not take their wealth with them? Anyhow, if they stayed for their wealth, then they eventually found that they could not keep it even if they stayed in Iraq.
Your points very valid, of course and I do agree if they styed in Iraq they may ends either hanged at Al -Tahrier square in Baghdad for crime (if there is) our with sever punishment.
ReplyDeleteOr they may killed like hundreds of thousand during Iraq-Iran war, Kuwait invasion followed by US invasion of Iraq more over the civil war were the killing raging between Iraqis on faith or sector.
It just so bloody, in fact they made right chose left Iraq either in 1950’s of early 1970’s.
However, what it concern or for the sick of history Mossad or Zionism agencies they done some dirty work, the fact no one can denied or rejected or cover it.
You bring “Farhud” although I do agree its was very sad, but you think about a country at that time the law and order in that country weak and may be corrupted, when Iraqi people locks there doors and window at sunset no one walk or go out after sunset because of “سلابة”?
To compare the sadness of Farhud, with what the Jewish people suffered around the world.
A remainder of one example the Jews in Poland, they tagged (Each Jews hold ribbon on his arm), there kids not allowed to go to the school, no trade with them and they forced to live on specific area and I believe there are similar treatments for Jews in other part of Europe east and west.
Wishing you a happy New Year
In Ishmael's House | Yale University Press
ReplyDeleteעם העלאת הערך על אלחוטאית הפלמ"ח מלכה רופא לויקיפדיה
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