I don't blame them. I would NEVER want to live in a Nazi State of Israel. Good that many westerners agree: Jerusalem & Babylon / Despite benefits, few Iranian Jews want to live here
By Anshel Pfeffer
It should have been a fantastic public relations coup for the Jewish Agency. Dozens of reporters, photographers and camera crews were on hand to chronicle their latest operation, easily outnumbering the 40 new immigrants from Iran and the family members awaiting them.
So eager were the assembled forces of the media for this story that no one was even thinking of arguing with the censorship over the restrictions, don't show their faces, no full names and all details about their route from Persia to Zion to be left out. And still, for at least one senior agency official, this was a hollow victory. When it was all over, and the Iranians were being bundled off to the buses about to take them to an absorption center in Be'er Sheva, he smiled bitterly and said, "we offered them everything possible and still we got such a pitiful number."
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The official press release, of course, told a different story. "Immigration from Iran tripled this year," was the message, statistically correct, since in 2006 only 65 arrived and this year we're up to a couple of hundred. But how can that compare to the estimated 28,000 Jews still living in Iran? It would be more accurate to say that over 99 percent of Persian Jews still prefer to remain under the rule of the Ayatollahs and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad than to come to live in the democratic Jewish homeland.
Surprisingly enough, there are few real restrictions on immigration from Iran. It's relatively simple, traveling through a third country. And to make it even easier, the agency pays for potential Iranian immigrants to come to Israel and see it for themselves before taking the plunge.
If that's not enough, three foundations stumped up enough money to give each $10,000. Which means that, together with the absorption basket of government benefits given to all new immigrants, a family of six can arrive here from Iran with a sizable sum to start off their new lives. So why aren't they coming?
The answers you hear vary. There's the financial aspect of course. Most of the Jews living in Iran are middle-class, shopowners and businessmen, with relatively comfortable and stable lives. But those who choose to leave have trouble selling their property and, even if they succeed, the weakness of the Rial means that even those who are wealthy manage to leave with less than $50,000. Their chances of reaching a similar level of affluence in Israel are low.
Not that life in the Islamic Republic is a picnic for anyone, especially not Jews. Jewish schools are forbidden, teaching Hebrew is prohibited, Jewish women are subjected to the same draconian modesty laws forced on their Muslim counterparts, while Jewish conscripts to the army are routinely humiliated and trusted only with lowly, menial tasks. Persecution is usually low-key.
Yes, they do live under the fear of reprisals and pogroms, but what we so easily forget is that this is one of the oldest Jewish communities in the world, existing for almost three millennia, since the time of the First Temple. Khomeini's revolution took place only 28 years ago, and there is always the hope that things might get better in the next few years. The older generation still have very clear memories of the time when 100,000 Jews lived under the rather benign despotism of the Shah.
The prospect of good times just around the corner is enough for most of them to prefer the current precarious situation to a journey into the unknown.
Besides, all these years of incessant virulent anti-Israel propaganda have taken their toll, even on the Jews; they might not see the state as the "little Satan" (the U.S. is, of course, the "big Satan"), but they still view Israel with a great degree of suspicion.
The dirty secret is, that, given the choice, many of those prepared to consider leaving wouldn't come to Israel since the thriving Iranian community in Los Angeles is much more attractive. Dozens of Iranian Jews are currently waiting in Vienna for green cards, or better than that, official UN refugee status, allowing them to live wherever they wish in the West.
It might seem crazy to us, their living like this, on the edge of a volcano about to explode. With the imminent threat of military confrontation with the U.S. or Israel, perhaps even a nuclear war, the situation is reminiscent of the Jews of Germany in the 1930s, but to Iran's Jews, Israel seems just as much a dangerous war zone, if not more so. And who can blame them?
Our incredulity over the willingness of the Jews of Iran to remain there has no place, as it is Israel that seems to be losing its appeal to the Jews. Of an estimated 7 or 8 million Jews living outside Israel, only about a quarter of a percent immigrated in 2007.
Jews still remain a mobile nation, but chances are that if they're planning a move, it will be to another Diaspora outpost.
The vast majority of Jews who left South Africa in the 13 years since the African National Congress came to power hopped over to Australia, one of the few major communities growing in the last decade.
Predictions of a major wave of immigration from France, in the wake of Islamist anti-Semitism, have largely failed to materialize. So actually, the Iranians have a higher proportion of immigration to Israel than most Diaspora communities.
There isn't one clear reason. Immigration figures are going down despite a thriving Israeli economy which has never been stronger. And it's pointless blaming the Second Lebanon War, as the downward trend started long before it broke out.
Practically, the only country from which immigration is still strong is Ethiopia, where the Falashmura are fighting the government's decision to stop bringing them in six months. Almost all Jews in just about every country outside the third-world seem to think that life in the Promised Land is simply too difficult to contemplate seriously. Israel's real image problem is not with the international media, but with the world's Jews, who just seem to prefer loving it from afar.
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I've missed Rosie! Where is
by Moshe Dayan (not verified) on Sun Dec 30, 2007 01:03 PM PSTI've missed Rosie! Where is she to confront everyone of you all with her steel balls?
To Daryush and rest of islamo facist gang
by MRX (not verified) on Sun Dec 30, 2007 12:51 PM PSTI like to travel to Isreal one day if I get the opportunity. May be they give me visa or may be they don't. frankly any half decent country out there giving visa to Iranians is doing us a big favor, since folks like you turned our country to one giant sewer republic, a mecca for all the terrorist organizations in the region. Iranian jews like any other iranian has/should have a right as full citizen to participate in anything they want. Not every one is capable or want to emigrate to some where else.
The obsession of you islamo facists with jews and isreal is simply amazing! wish you could turn your stupid obsessions to some thing productive for your country. OOh I forgot you guys don't believe in a concept of country just like your ex leader chusseini!
REPLY : THE PROMISED LAND...........& IRANIANS
by Faribors Maleknasri M.D. (not verified) on Sun Dec 30, 2007 12:27 PM PSTI think it can only be a myth. The promised land was never ever promised. It does not exist. It is no secret that the british colonialists had accupied that region. The germans burned a lot of human beings. some were jews. The Palestine has to pay. since world War II. Regarding Iranians who emigrated to this utopical Land - which is of course an unligal reality - had been never satisfied there. In the 8ties some etiopian jews were motivated to emigrate to the occupied Palestine. they were there as slaves and eunuch-like individuals. After the glorious ISLAMIC REVOLUTION of the heroic Iranians - I mean the ones who founded thier ISLAMIC REPUBLIC of IRAN, are living there and willing to defend it - some Iranians sought they would better to imigrate to that land, to the occupied Palestine. After a short time a great nummber of them came back. They meant: Better to die under Khomeini that to live in the occupied Palstine. So they were not satisfied with thier leaving the ISLAMIC REPUBLIC. They have allready thier experiences. After some media broadcasted that the nummber of Newwcommer in the occupied Palestine is permanently decreasing suddenly one could read that 40 Iranians were just immigrated. 2006 immigrated 60 or 65 persons and 2007 about 200. I wounder why just iranians who go there recieve - besides to the helps as every body else - $ 10.000! So much is an Iranian worth! West Germany paid in the 8ties to Romenia 8.000 DEUTSCH MARK for each Person with german ancesstors to get the person to west germany. I read the other day that in the ISLAMIC REPUBLIC of IRAN live 25.000 Iranians with jewish religion. they have - besides thier voting for Parliament in general also thier own Deputy in the Parliamen. So have also other religious and other minorities thier own MP. I think the news about emmigrating Iranians belong to the following category. Please acknowlledge: سرمايهگذاري ويژهدفتر دبي وزارت خارجهآمريكابراي ايجاد تفرقهقومي در ايران
.....س از آموزش بعضي از فعالان مدعي حمايت از حقوق بشر، دفتر امور ايران وزارت خارجه آمريكا در دوبي، توجه خاصي به دامن زدن به خواستههاي قوم گرايانه و ايجاد تفرقه در مناطقي از ايران كه قوميتهاي مختلف سكونت دارند مبذول داشته است.
گزارش خبرنگار "خبرهاي "۱۶ايرنا حاكي است، اخيرا دفتر مذكور كه توسط دختر ديك چيني معاون بروش رييس جمهور آمريكا اداره ميشود، تعدادي از افراد منتسب به يكي از قوميتها در جنوب شرق ايران را به دوبي دعوت كرده و براي آنان دوره آموزشي گذاشته است.
دفتر امور ايران وزارت خارجه آمريكا در دوبي از محل بودجه ضد ايراني دولت آمريكا براي براندازي نظام جمهوري اسلامي تغذيه ميشود. اين دفتر پيش از اين كارگاههاي آموزشي براي بعضي از فعالان داخلي و سازماندهي ان.جي.اوهاي مرتبط با حوزه حقوق بشر داير كرده بود.
I realise that the not any more soo big the great satan is very active. It has now begaan, besides countinuing barking and grunting with more "Effective" Work to change the regime in the ISLAMIC REPUBLIC of IRAN. so the visitors of the "IRANIAN" who do want a regime change do not need to worry, thery can be happy. Uncle sam finishes the job! Can we trust him? This dieing - once sometimes in the past being a - gigant? out of breath? his jows just dropped? Greeting.
"Baba Karam" on Rosie T.
by Ghavom ol Saltaneh (not verified) on Sun Dec 30, 2007 12:19 PM PSTThe reason Rosie hasn't said anything is because it is a "Lose-Lose" Situation for her. If she supports "Israel", she is going to be vehemently attacked by the Persians (Iranians). If she supports the Persians, she is going to be attacked heavily by the Jews (and the Israelis).
.
Anyone who knows Rosie can tell you that she is too "Crafty" to play into a "Situation" like This. She likes to play on "Both" Sides, and Be "Loved" :) !!
Baba ..
by Miz Mammad Mojtabazadeh (not verified) on Sun Dec 30, 2007 11:32 AM PSTJohooda, Bebakhshid Kalimiha, Ke Adam Haye Badi Nistan :) Faghat dar Tejarat Va Bazargani Bayad Ke Havasetoon Kheili Jam Bashe !!
Last year 3500 Iranian Jews Retuned to Iran from Israel
by Yek Irani Mosalmoon (not verified) on Sun Dec 30, 2007 11:13 AM PSTI wish all Iranian Jews happiness in life wherever they are and understand if they want to live in Israel. They are welcomed back home in Iran whenever they want, like 3500 Jews who came back to Iran last year.Iran is their homeland as it has been ours for thousands of years.The Islamic Government has turned Iran into Hell for everyone. We need to go back to the way our ancestors were and get rid of these Arabs.
"Az Koozeh Hamon boroon Taravad keh Dar Oost"
by Persian (not verified) on Sun Dec 30, 2007 10:58 AM PSTTranslation.:"From the pot ,comes out what is in it".
I lived in in Iran for 30 years and never thought it mattered if you were a Muslem, Christian ,jew ,Zorastorian or whatever ,but when I came to America pretty soon I realized that there was an aparthied approach to individual's religion. That basically means that in Iran for centuries people with different beliefs have lived togehter in peace and hormony.In Israel or in America in spite of claims of democracy this tolerance is badly missing and it is unfortunate because the result is nothing but pain and suffering for innocent people who happen to be born in this environment and mentality. I dare to say that perhaps no place on the face of earth has had this type of diversity amongst its people and the tolerance needed to live in peace together.We are proud of our culture and our ancestors.
A Big Welcome to all the Iranian / Jew Immigrants to Israel :-)
by TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) (not verified) on Sun Dec 30, 2007 10:56 AM PST*********
==================================
A Big Welcome to all the Iranian/Persian/Jew Immigrants to Israel & Also to all Iranian/Persian/Bahia's too.
About 25,000 Jews live in Iran and the Jewish Agency is working hard to bring bring all of Iran's remaining 25,000 Jews to Israel, an official told The Jerusalem Post as 40 immigrants landed at Ben-Gurion International Airport on Tuesday Dec.25/2007 afternoon.
Iranian Jews are making a wise decision to leave Iran. There is no life for Jews in Iran.
At any time, Jews could be rounded up and imprisoned, or hung as they were during the Iranian Islamic Revolution. Some Jews remain in Iran for economic reasons.
This is a foolish choice, which could result in such decision being a death sentence.
The same is true for Ba'hai believers.
(Ba'hais are welcomed in Israel with open arms, by the way as usuall).
Videos Web Links Are:
//www.youtube.com/v/c1dx4HzqaAU.swf
//www.youtube.com/v/8VT7JdOg3pA.swf
News Source Are:
//www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1198517...
//www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/12/25/israel.i...
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Why are jews always in the middle of a big war????
by JustCurious (not verified) on Sun Dec 30, 2007 10:27 AM PSTThroughout history, during almost every century since judaism, jews have been hated by people of every color, every ethnicity and every religion. Why is that? Are millions or billions of people, throughout more than thousands of years, wrong? Or is there something wrong with the jews? All religions have enemies and have their "bad sides." But just sounds like jews have been the "common enemy" for years and years. WHY? And then the question of religion or ethnicity! What is it? Is it a 'special' ethnicity that is a religion? Or a 'special' religion that is an ethnicity? I guess they are the 'special' people, 'specially' when it comes to being in the middle of wars, or being the reason for wars, for thousands of years.
And about the Ethiopian jews going to israel, why aren't they treated equally? Why aren't as attractive financial incentives given to them when they go, as they are given to Iranian jews or, the worst, the russian jews???? And where will all these new jews moving into israel live????????????? Isn't it going to get crowded???? Oh, yes, that's where the continuing settlements and Palestinian refugee camps come into play.
By the way, the author forgot to mention that the Parliament of Iran actually has seats for jewish representatives. Very surprising, isn't it?
And the data on jews from South Africa going to Australia is interesting too. Of course it backs up the old timer thought that jews were running that apartheid state, and yes, they were. With all those diamonds, what do you expect? Israel NEVER stopped its companies from marketing or doing business there, while even we, the US of A, did that. And Australia! Those guys I'm sure are going to start making a fuss in a few years. No doubt that the Australians right now are wondering what the ^&$%&$ these jews are doing here! Even though one of the biggest most powerful jews is, supposedly, an Australian himself, Rupert Murdoch, ceo/chairman of News Corporation that owns Fox and every paper and every website in the world. Jews, jews, jews, jews, jews, jews, jews, jews, jews, jews ........... Catholics (may God Bless us!), Christians, muslims, hindus, zorasterian, and most other religions, hate jews. Jews, jews, jews, jews ... there's just something about them that have created hatred of themselves for thousands and thousands and thousands of years ... and still going.
Jewish Republic of Israel
by XerXes (not verified) on Sun Dec 30, 2007 10:24 AM PSTIranians are too nice otherwise they would kick the JROP (the Jewish Republic of Occupied Palestine) But for those who think Israel is a "vibrant" society, wow you need to study and learn more. To prove that Israel is a Nazi regime, just read the Israeli comments, such as Shalom below. They are mostly racist pigs, to prove it again go and google how many Israelis, especially young, see themselves superior to those that are non Jewish. And they actually believe that they are the "chosen" people, just like Nazi's were. By the way, Zionists were the only party accepted by the Nazi Germany, go figure, that's why they are so similar in attitude and mentality. As Naom Chomsky has said, the worse thing that has happened to the Jews, has been the State of Israel. You who live in the west, why are you living here if you don't take advantage of the "free" press and books that are available? go read and study and find out for yourselves what happened historically or what Israel is all about. I mean come on man. Can't be that hard to find facts. You must be really ignorant to compare the great land of Iran with a occupied territory called Israel. wow, really ignorant (or hateful towards Iran)
To MRX and others
by Daryush on Sun Dec 30, 2007 10:08 AM PSTFor those who think Israel is a "modern" and "free" country, why don't you try at least once apply and hopefully travel there (if ythey allow you) to see that you would prefer living in Iran than "there'. Just do it and you'll get my point. There are a lot of advertisement about Israel, the reality is when you go and see it with your own eyes. Let me say that if you have the same amount of income, you would love to live in beautiful Iran than hateful Israel. That is a fact you can take to the bank. Why would you think Iranians wouldn't want to leave Iran with all the money Israeli government is trying to pour to them? Because unlike some of you here, they are wise and know what that shit hole is all about.
Where is "Rosie T"? ..
by Baba Karam (not verified) on Sun Dec 30, 2007 09:01 AM PSTI am looking for Rosie's (real name Robyn Goldsmith) view on this issue. She seems to "Always" have an Opinion on everything :) As an Eastern European Jew, I am sure she has a lot to say !!
pitiful argument
by Anonymous_Flowers (not verified) on Sun Dec 30, 2007 08:29 AM PSTyou're neglecting the fact that Jews in Iran are under alot of scrutiny, to assume that because so few have left Iran is due to their objections to the state of israel is ludicrous...so few leave because they CAN'T. this also goes for a majority of iranians, Muslim, Jewish, Christian, Baha'i too- they simply CAN'T LEAVE. the visa process is incredibly difficult and the crackdown on pro-westerns is fierce.
give me a break!
by MRX (not verified) on Sun Dec 30, 2007 08:03 AM PSTwho the hell wants to live in islamo facist dominated socities if they don't have to? Isreal may not be perfect, but it's secular, modern, has rule of law, protects it's citizen as much as it can, and progressive.
Anywhere but Islamic Land, Please
by Gilani (not verified) on Sun Dec 30, 2007 07:45 AM PSTI don't blame them. I would NEVER want to live in backward Islamic countries where the best Muslims murder their boys as martyrs, repress their girls and abuse their wives as second class citizens. Good that many Muslims (even the ones living in the vibrant and multicultural state of Israel) agree: Despite petrodollar, few Muslims want to live in shitty Islamic lands
Two original tribes...
by American (not verified) on Sun Dec 30, 2007 06:58 AM PSTMedes and Persians.....
I looked up Cyrus the Great and the article said that he created Persia from two tribe, the Medes and the Persians. So it seems that the Medes were holding the Jews as slaves. How can we be sure that your direct ancestors were not Medes?
I know that you have great respect for Cyrus, but he was only one man in thousands of years of conquest. I'm sure that the people being conquered by force weren't happy about being slaughtered by Cyrus (or Alexander the Great.)
The people of the Book consider the land of Israel sacred. The Palestinians might be considered the trespassers by Jews and a portion of Christians. Whose to say that you are correct and they are incorrect.
It's not that I have history wrong, you may be biased.
Iranian Jews and the grandeur welcome
by Anonymous-haha (not verified) on Sun Dec 30, 2007 06:49 AM PSTIt seems ironic to me that Iranian Jews can be welcomed to Tel Aviv in such a grandeur status when Palestinians are told to leave the land they have been living for the past 2000 years or worst, the Palestinians are forced to live in concentration camps.
It seems in the west, if your mother is a Jew, you are always the one being persecuted and if your mother is a Muslim, you are the one who is a bigot.
israel
by Anonymous2 (not verified) on Sun Dec 30, 2007 06:45 AM PSTto American: first of all, the jews were not kidnapped into captivity by persians. they were liberated from their babylonian captivivity by the persians (Cyrus the great).
Secondly, the problem with the modern state of israel is, that the zionists have forced out - and continue to force out -the palestinians who have been living in those lands for generations.
It's not about being consistent, it's about having the facts right.
Israelite
by Anonymous on Sun Dec 30, 2007 06:43 AM PSTFYI, Israelites were never kidnapped by anyone. True they fled Egyptian enslavement, but were never ever enslaved by Romans or the Persians. Restoration of Israelites to their ancestral land by Persians is a matter of historical fact and something the Iranian Islamist hate to be reminded of. And that “we” as in we American does not wash since your syntax is Persian English. Now put that in your "Arabian Gulf" and smoke it.
Whose land is it?
by American (not verified) on Sun Dec 30, 2007 06:20 AM PSTI have read articles on this site that address the plight of Native Americans. It was noted that this continent actually belongs to them. So.... why is it different for the land of Israel? They were forced out by the Roman hords. They were kidnapped into captivity by Persians and Egyptians. Why is that land of Israel not the land belonging to the Jews?
Persians talk about the Empire lands as their own. All we ask is that you be consistent.
Greate Article Thank You
by Arezu (not verified) on Sun Dec 30, 2007 06:10 AM PSTDear Daryush:
Thank you for this article. The Zionist State of Israel, just can't stand the fact that Iranian Jews consider themselves Iranians, it is their homeland, their roots, and their culture. They are not a people without a home or a country. Unfortunately, I can't make the same statement about the Palestinians who have been robbed of their identity, homeland and their country.
Nice Article -- ZIONISTS EAT YOUR HEART OUT !!!!
by Ahmad Bahai (not verified) on Sun Dec 30, 2007 05:36 AM PSTThanks for nice article Dariush.
It was also told by many reporters that the migrants (40 or so) were not actually iranians. They may have come from Pakistan or some other country and that is why the zionist propaganda machine did not want to show their faces or names since it would immediately become clear that these are not iranian jews.
To yezghel & hawes380
by Farhad2008 (not verified) on Sun Dec 30, 2007 05:31 AM PSTYou talk about jews history in iran, xerexes who marreid to esther, and then you make the film 300 with a animal image of xerexes. In this case the esther would be animal too.. because she was marreid to xerexes! how could the jew Zack Znyder who is jew make the film 300.. and forget about the contribute of persia to judaism?! have you jews from other places done anything about that? you jews have power in hollywood as other places why dont you make a film about cyrus the great / xerexes / .. the world gets tired of all things about jews.. if something related to ya is good if not its not good..islam has its root in ur religion and if its not good religion that jewish is not good either because u share the same value and u know that very well.
Many Iranians are descendant of the Jews
by hawes380 (not verified) on Sun Dec 30, 2007 04:41 AM PSTWe must remember the fact that Queen Esther was married to King Xerxes of the Achaemenid dynasty.
According to the Judaism law, a child who is born to a jewish mother is by all means a jew. So if we truly believe that we are Persians, we cannot disregard the fact that our ancestors were of the Achaemenid dynasty and jewish as well.
When it comes to our nationality, this era is the quintessential part of our nation. It is what makes us Persians to be proud of our history and all that dynasty stood for.
Iranian Jews ..
by Yezghel (not verified) on Sun Dec 30, 2007 02:38 AM PSThave lived in Iran for almost 2,500 years. From the time they were liberated from Babylon, and King Belshazar (The Son of The Great Nebuchadnezar).
+
Prophet Daniel was the Prime Minister in the Court of Dariush the Great. His tomb is in Iran (Daniel "Nabi"). Esther, who is mentioned in the Bible, was the Queen of Xerxes (Khashayar-sha).
+
I think that it is just total Non-Sense to think of the Jews in Iran as anything but "Iranians". Remember: The prejudice against the Jews in Iran (Persia) came with the introduction of Islam. The prejudice that the "Arabs" had was brought with this New Religion :) Pure and Simple !!
Not really
by AliJoon (not verified) on Sun Dec 30, 2007 01:45 AM PSTIt would be the Nazi state of Israel since they do nothing but kill the Palestinians...treat the Palestinians like animals...then expect the Palestinians to not react in the violent animalistic form that they do....I personally wouldn't want to live in a society that Israel has provided for the Palestinians Islamists are not anti-semitic...they are anti-zionists..there is a difference...We don't hate Jews...as not all Jews are Zionists...
Shameless Islamists
by Fred (not verified) on Sun Dec 30, 2007 01:33 AM PSTOnly shameless, anti-Semite Islamists can come up with this oxymoron statement: “I would NEVER want to live in a Nazi State of Israel”.