Iranian Jews refuse cash bribe to move to Israel
transmitter | 17.07.2007 02:58 | Anti-racism | World
Iran’s Jewish minority have unanimously rejected cash offers from the Israel government to leave Iran and move to Israel.
The Israeli government had promised to provide a package of housing and jobs for the 25,000 Iranian Jews. A special fund created by Israel supporters promised a 10,000 cash award for any Iranian Jew who moves to Israel.
The Society of Iranian Jews, however, dismissed this move as a "bribe". Iran's sole Jewish member of parliament, Morris Motamed, said the offer was "insulting to Jewish Iranians". Instead of taking the pro-Israel group up on its offer, the community of Iranian Jews instead took a loyalty pledge to their home country of Iran.
Iran's Jewish population has dwindled from around 80,000 at the time of the 1979 Islamic revolution. But it remains the largest of any Middle Eastern country apart from Israel. Jews have lived in Iran since at least 700 B-C.
The Society of Iranian Jews, however, dismissed this move as a "bribe". Iran's sole Jewish member of parliament, Morris Motamed, said the offer was "insulting to Jewish Iranians". Instead of taking the pro-Israel group up on its offer, the community of Iranian Jews instead took a loyalty pledge to their home country of Iran.
Iran's Jewish population has dwindled from around 80,000 at the time of the 1979 Islamic revolution. But it remains the largest of any Middle Eastern country apart from Israel. Jews have lived in Iran since at least 700 B-C.
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