The state of Iraq after Sykes-Picot has become an example of the largest mass grave of civilization and history, and of all the indigenous peoples of Mesopotamia! (The famous Kurdish thinker Hazhar Mukeriani)
Introduction:
The history of Jews in Iraq spans back thousands of years, with their presence deeply intertwined within the social and cultural fabric of the country. For centuries, the Jewish community coexisted harmoniously with their surrounding societies, contributing to the development and prosperity of Iraq. However, a significant turning point occurred in the mid-20th century when political circumstances led to the loss of nationality for Iraqi Jews and the subsequent confiscation of their properties. This article delves into this tragic chapter of history, shedding light on the struggles faced by the Jewish community in Iraq and the devastating impact of property seizures.
Section 1: The Vibrant Jewish Community in Iraq
In this section, we will explore the rich history and contributions of the Jewish community in Iraq. We will discuss their integration into Iraqi society, their involvement in various industries and professions, and their cultural and religious practices. Emphasizing their long-standing presence and positive contributions will provide context to the subsequent events.
Section 2: Political Shifts and Nationality Stripping
The mid-20th century witnessed a series of political changes in Iraq that dramatically affected the Jewish population. The rise of Arab nationalism, coupled with regional tensions and the establishment of the State of Israel, created a hostile environment for Iraqi Jews. We will examine the policies enacted by the Iraqi government, including the revocation of Jewish nationality and the implementation of discriminatory measures.
Section 3: Confiscation of Jewish Properties
In this section, we will delve into the systematic confiscation of Jewish properties by the Iraqi government. We will explore the legal mechanisms employed, such as legislation and decrees, that facilitated the seizure of assets belonging to Jewish individuals and families. Additionally, we will highlight the devastating impact of these actions on the Jewish community, both economically and emotionally.
Section 4: Forced Migration and Displacement
The plight of Iraqi Jews extended beyond the loss of their nationality and property. This section will discuss the forced migration and displacement experienced by Jewish families, as they were compelled to leave their homes and abandon their belongings. We will explore the challenges they faced in seeking refuge in other countries and the loss of their cultural heritage and identity.
Dropping Iraqi citizenship fromIraqi Jews
On March 4, 1950, a law was passed to revoke the Iraqi nationality for every Jew who left Iraq or will leave Iraq, legally or illegally. This law was prepared for only two weeks, and a very important law like this law, it is not reasonable to prepare for it only two weeks and approve it. In the House of Representatives in one session, and revoking the nationality of 120,000 Iraqi Jews, and for trivial reasons that have no legal basis, and among the main reasons mentioned by Salih Jabr, the Minister of Interior at the time, when he said: ((The government submitted this list after it was confirmed that there is no escape from it. Presenting it due to the anomalous situation that prevails among some of the Jewish citizens, which obliges the government to present such legislation… You know that the movement of flight of some Jewish citizens began not so long ago, and this movement continued to increase little by little, but it did not exceed the unilateral situation either. It was in terms of the escape of some of these people or in terms of the facilitators of their defeat, but this movement began to evolve with time, a development that is not in the interest of remaining silent about it. The latter, illegally and in violation of applicable laws. Many of you may have noticed the furniture sales centers popping up here and there in preparation for liquidation and flight)).
He added ((When the present government assumed the reins of government and this situation prevailed, it had to deal with the matter wisely, deliberately, accurately and firmly, so we contacted some wise people from this sect and drew their attention to the current situation and the need to cooperate with the government to eliminate this provocative situation and return to compliance with the law. However, it appears that the task of these people was apparently difficult, and they were unable to do anything to prevent this organized and illegal escape..)).
37 deputies submitted their resignations from Parliament in protest of the law.
The law was issued in the name of the appendix to Decree No. 62 of 1933 revoking Iraqi nationality.
It was published in Al-Waqa’i Al-Iraqiya newspaper on 3/9/1950, Issue: 2816.
With the approval of the Senate and the House of Representatives, we have ordered the enactment of the following law:
Law (1) of 1950:Article 1: The Council of Ministers may decide to revoke the Iraqi nationality of the Iraqi Jew who wishes to choose from him to leave Iraq permanently after signing a special form in front of the employee appointed by the Minister of Interior.
Article 2: An Iraqi Jew who leaves Iraq or tries to leave Iraq illegally loses his Iraqi nationality by a decision of the Council of Ministers.
Article 3: An Iraqi Jew who previously left Iraq illegally is considered to have left Iraq permanently if he does not return to it within two months of the entry into force of this law, and his Iraqi nationality will be forfeited from the date of the expiration of this period.
Article 4: The Minister of Interior shall order the deportation of all persons whose Iraqi nationality has been revoked according to Articles 1 and 2, unless he is convinced, based on sufficient reasons, that his temporary stay in Iraq is required by judicial or legal necessity, or the preservation of the rights of others that are officially documented.
Article 5: This law remains in force for a period of one year from the date of its entry into force, and its ruling may be terminated at any time during this period by a royal will published in the Official Gazette.
Article 6: This law is implemented from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
Article 7: The Minister of Interior shall implement this law.
Written in Baghdad on the fifteenth day of the month of Jumada al-Awwal in the year 1369 and the fourth day of the month of March in the year 1950.
Saleh Jabr Tawfiq Al Suwaidi
The Minister of the Interior, the Prime Minister
Published in Al-Waqa’i Al-Iraqiyyah, Issue 2816, on March 9, 1950
After the issuance of the new Iraqi constitution in 2005, the Jews were once again subjected to treachery and unfairness. Article 18 of it stipulated:
Article (18):First – Iraqi nationality is a right for every Iraqi, and it is the basis of his citizenship.
Second: Everyone who is born to an Iraqi father or an Iraqi mother is considered an Iraqi, and this is regulated by law.
Third –A- It is prohibited to forfeit the Iraqi nationality from an Iraqi by birth for any reason whatsoever, and those from whom it was forfeited have the right to request its restoration, and this shall be regulated by law.
B – The Iraqi nationality shall be revoked from the naturalized person in the cases stipulated by the law.
Fourth – It is permissible for an Iraqi to have multiple nationalities, and whoever holds a high-ranking sovereign or security position must renounce any other acquired nationality, and this shall be regulated by law.
Fifth: Iraqi nationality is not granted for the purposes of the population settlement policy that disrupts the demographic composition of Iraq.
Sixth: The provisions of nationality shall be regulated by law, and the cases arising from it shall be examined by the competent courts.
After the issuance of the Iraqi Nationality Law No. 26 of 2006, Article 14 of it stipulated:
Article 14:If a non-Iraqi acquires Iraqi nationality, his children who have not reached the age of majority become Iraqis, provided that they reside with him in Iraq.
Second: If an Iraqi loses the Iraqi nationality, his children who are not adults will lose it accordingly, and they may regain the Iraqi nationality upon their request, if they return to Iraq and reside there for one year. They are considered Iraqis from the date of their return.
The children of Iraqis who have lost their Iraqi nationality under the provisions of Law No. (1) of (1950) and Law No. (12) of (1951) do not benefit from the provision of this clause.
Once again, the law did not do justice to the Iraqi Jews, and they were excluded from the right to recover their nationality.
It should be noted that those who call themselves the current leaders of Iraq claim that the new constitution respects all religions, values cultural pluralism, upholds the rights of religious minorities, and considers all Iraqis equal under the law.
However, the current constitution did not abolish the two unjust laws that, in fact, contradict the third paragraph of Article 18, Part A of the current constitution of Iraq, which states the following: “It is not permissible to revoke the nationality of an Iraqi by birth for any reason whatsoever, and the one from whom it was revoked has the right to request restore it, and this shall be regulated by law.” The constitution also stipulates that anyone born to an Iraqi father or an Iraqi mother is considered an Iraqi, and every Iraqi who has lost his nationality for political, ethnic or sectarian reasons has the right to claim it back.
The two aforementioned laws are a violation of the Iraqi Nationality Law No. (26) of 2006, which confirms the above and guarantees the right to restore nationality to all those who lost it for the reasons mentioned above. But this law excluded Iraqi Jews – who should have been included like all Iraqis. It is remarkable that the laws of 1950 and 1951 were not repealed, unlike other laws that were amended to comply with Article 18 of the 2005 constitution. However, the new Iraq does not guarantee justice for Iraqi Jews, in clear and explicit violation of the constitution.
Conclusion:The plight of Jews in Iraq, marked by the stripping of their nationality and the seizure of their properties, stands as a tragic reminder of the devastating consequences of intolerance and discrimination. This chapter in history serves as a sobering lesson about the consequences of societal and political shifts that target a specific group based on their religious or ethnic identity.
The vibrant Jewish community in Iraq, with its deep roots and contributions to Iraqi society, was abruptly upended by political forces that sought to marginalize and exclude them. The revocation of their nationality severed their ties to the land they called home for generations, leaving them in a state of limbo and vulnerability. This deliberate act of erasing their legal status not only deprived them of their rights but also undermined their sense of belonging and shattered their communal bonds.
The confiscation of Jewish properties, carried out through legal mechanisms that specifically targeted the Jewish population, resulted in the loss of livelihoods and generational wealth. Families who had built businesses, homes, and institutions were stripped of their assets, reducing them to economic destitution and uncertainty. The impact was not merely material; it also struck at the heart of their identity, heritage, and cultural legacy.
The forced migration and displacement experienced by Iraqi Jews further compounded their suffering. Compelled to leave their homes and seek refuge elsewhere, they faced countless challenges as they rebuilt their lives in unfamiliar surroundings. The loss of their cultural heritage and the rupture of their communal ties left a void that has been difficult to fill.
It is imperative to recognize and remember the plight of Jews in Iraq, not only as an act of historical acknowledgment but also as a means to promote understanding, empathy, and reconciliation. By studying this dark chapter, we are reminded of the importance of upholding human rights, embracing diversity, and cultivating a society that values and respects the contributions of all its members.
Efforts towards healing and reconciliation should be pursued, both on an individual and collective level. Encouraging dialogue, fostering interfaith and intercultural understanding, and promoting inclusivity are vital steps towards preventing the repetition of such injustices. By learning from the past, we can collectively work towards building a future that cherishes the rights and dignity of every individual, irrespective of their religious or ethnic background.
In honoring the memory of the Jews who suffered the loss of their nationality and property in Iraq, we pay tribute to their resilience, their contributions to society, and their enduring spirit. May their stories serve as a reminder of the importance of justice, compassion, and unity in creating a world where such injustices are never repeated.
It is difficult now to correct this law in the current state that is ruled by neo-Nazis with the Iranian Safavid veil, pan-Arabism and religious extremism. Iraq claims peaceful coexistence, tolerance, religious freedom, and the rights of components, but at the same time it is witnessing an ongoing conflict, whether hidden or overt, between two Sunni and Shiite sects of the same religion. How can we expect our legitimate rights to be given to us, especially with regard to our property, our heritage, and the treasury of our prosperous history?