INTERNATIONAL RIGHTS AND REDRESS CAMPAIGN

A meeting of the International Steering Committee of Justice for Jews from Arab Countries (JJAC) took place in New York City on Nov. 4-5, 2007.

This JJAC meeting took on added importance, in light of its proximity to the Annapolis Peace Conference. This was reflected in several ways:

• Some 50 delegates from 8 countries representing 32 communities and organizations participated. (Link)

• The Government of Israel took steps to ensure that its policy on the rights of Jewish refugees from Arab countries was well represented at this meeting-by way of a letter from the Prime Minister to JJAC leadership; and the release of a statement to delegates by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

• The event generated extensive news coverage - including an article in The New York Times and in 30 other media outlets. The primary focus of media coverage was the release, by former Canadian Justice Minister and current Member of Parliament Irwin Cotler, of a legal report entitled, "Justice for Jewish Refugees from Arab Countries: The Case for Rights and Redress." The report provided evidence that the plight, and flight, of Jews from Arab countries was the result of a state orchestrated campaign by the Arab League states.

The program, including its highlights and decisions, are summarized below:

A) Israel, Justice for Jews from Arab Countries and the
US-Brokered November 2007 - Annapolis Peace Conference

This session focused on the issue of 'Middle East refugees', in the lead up to the Annapolis Peace Conference. Discussion ensued on the Government of Israel's position and on whether action should be undertaken by JJAC to ensure that Jewish refugees from Arab countries is on the agenda at Annapolis.

On November 7, 2007, a letter was received from Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, stating the government's position on Jewish refugees from Arab countries, "... I assure you that when this key issue if tabled, the Governement of Israel will reaffirm its commitment to resolving the rights of Jewish refugee from Arab countries...."

Malcolm Hoenlein addressed the evening gathering of delegates

Malcolm Hoenlein, Executive Vice President of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations rejected Arab claims that there were never large Jewish communities in Arab countries and that Jews were well treated. "The facts are clear" Hoenlein asserted, "There were hundreds of thousands of Jews who lived in the Middle East for centuries and they left because they were subjected to state-sanctioned persecution." Hoenlein encouraged delegates to bring this issue to the attention of their respective government officials.

B) "Registration and the International Rights and Redress Campaign"

This session focused on the status of the international campaign to register Jews displaced from Arab countries.

Jean-Claude Niddam, Director of Arab Legal Affairs for Israel's Ministry of Justice reported on progress to date and the files that have been accrued by the Ministry of Justice. Mr. Niddam also reported on the extensive programming that had taken place in France.

Delegates from countries represented at the meeting provided a short report on campaign activities in Brazil, Canada, France, Sweden, United States, the UK and elsewhere.

C) "Making the Case for Jewish Refugees from Arab Countries"

Akiva Tor, Director, Jewish Communities Department, Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs read a statement entitled "The Importance of Making the Case for Jewish Refugees from Arab Countries. (Link)

Delegates from countries represented at the meeting discussed the substance, and strategies, for how best to make representations to their respective governments on this issue.

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Luncheon Address: The Hon. Irwin Cotler, P.C., O.C., M.P.
Former Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Government of Canada

Dr. Irwin Cotler released a Legal Report that highlighted a recently-discovered "Draft Law of the Political Committee of the Arab League" that detailed collusion among Arab League states to persecute their Jewish populations, as part of their struggle against the State of Israel. (Link)

In his presentation, Dr. Cotler disclosed the "pernicious and prejudicial role played by the U.N. in excluding Jewish refugees from Arab countries from the justice and peace agenda…This is not just a case of justice delayed, but justice denied. Indeed, the displacement of 850,000 Jews from Arab countries is not just a 'forgotten exodus' but a 'forced exodus.'"

The Hon. Irwin Cotler

In conclusion, Dr. Cotler stated: "Let there be no mistake about it. Where there is no remembrance, there is no truth; where there is no truth, there will be no justice; where there is no justice, there will be no reconciliation; and where there is no reconciliation, there will be no peace."

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D) "International Oral History Project

Dr. Henry Green, Professor of Religious Studies, at the University of Miami, reported on the proposal by JJAC to digitally record the testimonies of Jews who were displaced from Arab countries.

Discussion ensued on how this project can be coordinated, on a world-wide basis.

A 'Planning Form' was distributed so that each country representative could indicate how the interviews and collection of testimonies might best be conducted in their country.

E) "Jews from Arab Countries: The Forgotten Refugees Educational Unit"

Copies of "Jews from Arab Countries: The Forgotten Refugees Educational Unit", developed by Justice for Jews from Arab Countries and The David Project were circulated to all participants.

Dr. Anna Kolodner, Executive Director, The David Project described this Unit as a two session curriculum for Jewish schools that is built around the movie The Forgotten Refugees. Discussion ensued on its promotion and use, on a world-wide basis. (Link)

It was recommended that the Unit be translated into as many languages as possible for use in many countries.

F) Constituting Justice for Jews from Arab Countries (JJAC)

Discussion ensued on the history of JJAC and its recent relationship with WOJAC. A decision was taken to formalize the mission and structure of JJAC, including the appointment of an Executive Committee, whose mandate would be, within a three month period, to explore all options, and recommend the most appropriate structure, that would consolidate the work of Justice for Jews from Arab Countries and ensure its future effectiveness.

The following were elected members of the Executive Committee:

GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS

SEPHARDI-MIZRAHI HERITAGE WEEK

In a plan to promote and educate people in New York and New Jersey on the topic of Jews from Arab countries, November 5-14, 2007 was officially declared Sephardi-Mizrahi Heritage Week in New York. The flagship event of Sephardi-Mizrahi Heritage Week was its launch at the prestigious Edmond J. Safra synagogue on New York's Upper East Side.

David Hidary of the New York City's Jewish Community Relation Council (JCRC) opened the evening. The invocation was presented by Chief Rabbi Shaul Kassin, leader of the Syrian and Sephardic community in Brooklyn, NY. Dr. Elie Abadie, Rabbi of the Safra Synagogue, gave a very moving and informative review of the history of the Sephardi-Mizrahi Jews and their accomplishments.

The keynote speaker was the Hon. Irwin Cotler who spoke about the legal case for Jews from Arab countries and why the U.N. is preparing, once more, to commemorate the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People – on the 60th anniversary of the U.N. Partition Resolution of 1947 – but will ignore, yet again, the plight of Jewish refugees on that commemorative occasion. Dr. Cotler stated: "Remembrance, truth, justice and redress for Jews displaced from Arab and Muslim countries should be pursued, as mandated under human rights and humanitarian law."

At the event, New York City Council Member, Daniel Garodnick, presented a proclamation declaring Sephardic-Mizrahi Heritage Week. Mr. Garodnick said, "The Sephardim and Mizrahim have continued to prosper around the world, despite being forced to leave their ancestral homes. Their story is an extraordinary example of the resilience of the Jewish people -- and their contribution is as evident here in New York City as it is in Israel. This week, we celebrate their heritage, learn from their experience, and recognize their place in the bright spectrum of Jewish heritage."

Garodnick noted that he had been to Israel twice in 2007, and on one occasion, traveled with the JCRC. Garodnick thanked the JCRC for its efforts in New York City, saying "This organization is unique for the great partnerships it creates within the Jewish community, and its outreach across religious ethnic lines."

Proclamations recognizing Sephardi-Mizrahi Jewry were issued by the New York City Council, by the Borough of Manhattan and by the State of New York.

Remarks were also made on behalf of Governor Eliot Spitzer and Mayor Bloomberg. In attendance were representitives of Borough President, Scott Stringer’s and Senator Hillary Clinton’s offices. The event was organized by JJAC in partnership with the New York Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC), the American Sephardi Federation (ASF) and the Edmond J. Safra Synagogue.

A new classroom instructional program entitled: The Forgotten Refugee Educational Unit has been developed by Justice for Jews from Arab Countries and The David Project. This Educational Unit encompasses lessons drafted for use by middle school and high school aged students in both formal and informal educational settings. The Educational Unit includes a 15 minute version of The David Project's film The Forgotten Refugees which is to used as part of the curriculum.

The Educational Unit is intended to educate and engage students by:

1) Introducing the narrative of the Jews from Arab countries, and restoring it to its rightful place within Jewish literacy; and

2) Presenting a fact based, historical context for the 2,500 saga of Jews in Arab countries in which to better understand the current Arab-Israeli situation; and

3) Encouraging students to collect information on the personal lives and stories of Sephardi-Mizrahi Jews who were displaced from their ancestral homes.

If your would like a free copy of the Forgotten Refugee Educational Unit, please send a request to: info @ justiceforjews.com or call 917-606-8262. You can also download the text files of the unit online.

Representatives of both JJAC and The David Project attended a Meeting of the New York Board of Jewish Education where 40 Principals learned about the newly released Forgotten Refugee Educational Unit. The BJE agreed to promote the Educational Unit and encouraged its 400 schools in the New York area to use this curriculum during (and after) Sephardi-Mizrahi Heritage Week.

JJAC & The David Project representatives meeting the BJE

To promote the launch of Sephardi-Mizrahi Heritage Week and to advocate for Jews from Arab countries, JJAC placed several display advertisements in prominent NY & NJ newspapers. This ad encouraged Jews from Arab and Muslim countries to register with the International Rights and Redress Campaign.

Click to open this PDF document

On November 8, 2007, Yeshiva University (YU) High School for Girls in Queens, New York invited Shelomo Alfassa of JJAC to address the issue of Jews from Arab Countries to the 240 young ladies and school faculty. The discussion was in conjunction with YU High School's week-long program on Sephardi/Mizrahi Jews, for which other speaks came and spoke on a similar theme. Sephardi food was served and the girls prepared an art project based on the topic. The audience had girls whose families were from Iran, Iraq, and other Islamic countries.

Yeshiva University High School for Girls

On November 29, 2007 Shelomo Alfassa, Director of JJAC's U.S. Campaign, spoke on the topic of Jewish refugees at Temple Emanuel in Newton (Boston), Massachusetts. Among the audience were members of the Egyptian Jewish community. Mrs. Denise Douek Telio addressed the audience about how she fled Egypt. She said in part:

"In the fall of 1956, the Jews had 2 weeks to leave the country. All their assets were frozen; businesses and homes were seized and sealed. They were allowed to leave with suitcases and 50 pounds per person, about $150 each. My husband’s parents, my in-laws, lit the 8th Hannukah candle, left their apartment intact, closed the door and headed to the airport. Before boarding the plane or ship, men, women and children were bodily searched and their entire luggage thoroughly examined, to ascertain they were not taking any valuables with them. Jews falsely denounced by their employees as Zionists languished in jails or detention camps for months without trial. Some were deported, in handcuffs. Within 48 hours they packed a bag and left all their wealth behind."

A special Sephardi-Mizrahi Shabbaton took place on the weekend of November 2-3, 2007 at Congregation AABJ&D in West Orange, New Jersey. The two guest speakers were Amb. (ret.) Yossi Ben Aharon, the former Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir along with Edwin Shuker of London who represented the World Sephardic Congress. The topic was: Truth, Justice & Reconciliation, and how Palestinians were not the only Middle East refugees. There was a highly successful community-wide melava malka program that also included a screening of the film, The Forgotten Refugees. The program included Sephardic food and Sephardic music and the event was co-sponsored by Congregation AABJ&D, and the United Jewish Communities of MetroWest, Community Relations Committee.

September 30, 2007, over 300 people attended a city-wide program at Congregation Dorshei Emet. Guest speakers were Stanley Urman, Executive Director – Justice for Jews from Arab Countries and David Matas, Senior Legal Counsel, B’nai B’rith Canada. The documentary The Forgotten Refugees was shown and testimonials from former refugees were given. Twenty five former refugees completed registration forms and 180 attendees signed a petition requesting Canada’s recognition of the Jewish and other refugees from Arab countries. The event was co-sponsored by JJAC and B'nai B'rith Canada.

A Jewish former refugee from Egypt being interviewed by a
Radio-Canada journalist at Congregation Dorshei Emet

Over 500 people participated in a night of education and advocacy that was held at the Spanish & Portuguese Synagogue of Montreal. This special event included a keynote address by the Honourable Irwin Cotler and included a screening of the documentary "The Forgotten Refugees." Participants heard testimonials from former refugees and over 100 registration forms were filled out. Attendees signed the petition requesting that Canada recognize the Jewish and other refugees from Arab countries. The event was written up in a newspaper article in the national Canadian Jewish News.

Justice for Jews from Arab Countries (Justice pour les réfugiés juifs des pays arabes) has a new Canadian based Website www.justiceforjews.ca which was produced by Nicole Allio. The new bilingual Website will be a tremendous resource in educating people on Jews from Arab countries and on helping to get Jews from Arab countries registered in the International Rights and Redress Campaign.

It is with some degree of regret that we learned of the news that Emily Blank will be leaving her position as Executive Director of JIMENA. She has been a wonderful partner and colleague for three years. We wish her much success in her new position at AIPAC.

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