Language:
English
Year of publication:
1988
Titel der Quelle:
Middle Eastern Studies
Angaben zur Quelle:
24,3 (1988) 312-329
Keywords:
Jews, Iraqi
;
Jews History 1945-
Abstract:
Refutes the belief that bombings of Jewish locations in Iraq in 1950-51 were carried out by local Jews or Israeli agents in order to terrorize Iraqi Jews into leaving. Argues that the Jews were already under pressure to emigrate because of the government's anti-Jewish policy. In 1948 Jews were dismissed from government service and Jewish businessmen were restricted. Jews accused of Zionism were imprisoned and tortured and one was executed. A mass flight to Israel via Iran began. At first the government tried to stop emigration, but in March 1950 a law was enacted which, for a period of one year, allowed Jews to give up their citizenship and register for emigration. The Iraqi government claimed that the bombings were sponsored by Jews. However, recently opened official documents (from Israel, U.S., and British diplomatic and other sources) show that the Iraqi evidence was weak. Suggests other groups which may have been responsible for the attacks, among them the anti-Jewish pan-Arab Istiqlal Party.
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