11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Iranian president questions the historical validity of the Holocaust ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23186]

"The government's anti-Israel stance, in particular the president's numerous speeches against Israel stating the "Zionist regime" should be eliminated, and the perception among many citizens that Jewish citizens supported Zionism and Israel, created a threatening atmosphere for the community.

Since his election in 2005, President Ahmadi-Nejad has publicly questioned the historical validity of the Holocaust and called for the removal of the Jewish state from the Middle East. He continued to make similar statements during the year, stating on June 3 that "the countdown for [Israel's] collapse has begun".

[...] In December 2006 the government sponsored a conference entitled, "Review of the Holocaust: Global Vision." This conference was widely criticized as it sought to provide a forum for those who deny the existence or scope of the Holocaust. Speakers at the conference universally called for the elimination or delegitimization of the state of Israel and alleged that the Holocaust did not occur or was an exaggeration used by Jews for political and financial gains. The conference was followed by the establishment of the World Foundation for Holocaust Studies, run by a committee of Holocaust deniers."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Government makes the education of Jewish children more difficult; limits on the level to which Jews could rise professionally ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23187]

"In recent years the government made the education of Jewish children more difficult by limiting distribution of non-religious Hebrew texts and requiring several Jewish schools to remain open on Saturdays, the Jewish Sabbath. There were limits on the level to which Jews could rise professionally, particularly in government."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Anti-Jewish and anti-Israeli broadcasts and publications ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23188]

"According to the Middle East Research Institute, state TV broadcasted two shows hosting a Holocaust denier or content deemed anti-Semitic. State television also broadcasted "Zero Degree Turn," portraying a young Iranian diplomat's efforts to help European Jews during World War II.

In April, according to local media, the state-run Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) television network replied to a 2005 complaint from the sole Jewish member of parliament (MP), who asserted that the IRIB network transmitted anti-Semitic programs. The letter was read in the Majles and stated that its programming was based on "research and documentary evidence" and claimed that IRIB's programming gave more attention to positive Jewish characters than negative ones.

Newspapers in the country reportedly continued to publish anti-Semitic cartoons, but fewer were published than in the previous year. In November 2006 the newspaper Hamshahri cosponsored a Holocaust-denial cartoon contest in which the paper solicited submissions from around the world and awarded a $12,000 (approximately 112,000 rials) prize to a Moroccan cartoonist who drew a picture of an Israeli crane erecting a wall of concrete blocks around the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, Islam's third holiest site. The blocks bear sections of a photograph of the Nazi extermination camp at Auschwitz-Birkenau.

[...] In May 2006 a local magazine published photos of synagogues draped in U.S. and Israeli flags and claimed they were in Tehran and Shiraz when in fact they were outside of the country. Anti-Jewish and anti-Israel demonstrations followed in Shiraz. The Jewish MP protested in the Majles and was supported by the Speaker of the Majles, Gholam Ali Hadded Adel, who reprimanded the magazine."

Document(s): Open document

24.11.2007 - Source: Guardian

Jewish Iranians are increasingly leaving for Israel because of growing tensions at home; many are accused of being Israeli spies ("Rory McCarthy on the increasing number of Jewish Iranians are emigrating to Israel") [ID 22069]

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Jewish community numbers from 25,000 to 30,000 people ("International Religious Freedom Report 2007") [ID 21126]

"[...] Unofficial estimates of the size of the Jewish community vary from 25,000 to 30,000."

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Although the government hosted a Holocaust denial conference and promotes anti-semitism in state-media there is little government restriction of Jewish religious practice ("International Religious Freedom Report 2007") [ID 21226]

"The Government promoted and condoned anti-Semitism in state-media and hosted a Holocaust denial conference during the reporting period. However, with some exceptions, there was little government restriction of, or interference with, Jewish religious practice. [...]"

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Jewish education has become more difficult: Government limits distribution of Hebrew texts; Jewish Schools have to remain open on Saturdays, which violates the Jewish law ("International Religious Freedom Report 2007") [ID 21272]

"Nevertheless, education of Jewish children has become more difficult in recent years. The Government reportedly allowed Hebrew instruction, recognizing that it was necessary for Jewish religious practice. However, it limited the distribution of Hebrew texts, in practice making it difficult to teach the language. Moreover, the Government required that in conformity with the schedule of other schools, several Jewish schools must remain open on Saturdays, which violates Jewish law."

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Jewish citizens are permitted to obtain passports and travel outside the country ("International Religious Freedom Report 2007") [ID 21273]

"Jewish citizens are permitted to obtain passports and travel outside the country. In contrast with past reporting years, Jewish groups reported that Iranian Jews are now issued the multiple-exit permits issued to other citizens, and other travel restrictions have eased."

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Jewish community's newspaper, Ofogh-e-Bina, stopped publication, reportedly due largely to government pressure ("International Religious Freedom Report 2007") [ID 21274]

"... [Jewish groups outside the country]... also reported that the Jewish community's newspaper, Ofogh-e-Bina, stopped publication, reportedly due largely to government pressure on the previous chair of the JCC [Jewish Central Committee]."

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Anti-Semitism: Government has created a hostile atmosphere for Jews in Iran, involving official statements, publications and propaganda against Israel and Zionism; the government sponsored an exhibition of anti-Semitic cartoons and organised a conference on the Holocaust, providing a forum for those who deny the existence or scale of this genocide ("International Religious Freedom Report 2007") [ID 21428]

"While the Government recognizes Judaism as a religious minority, Jews alleged frequent official discrimination. During the reporting period, there was a rise in officially sanctioned, anti-Semitic propaganda, involving official statements, media outlets, publications, and books. The Government's anti-Israel policies and anti-Semitic rhetoric, along with a perception among radical Muslims that all Jewish citizens of the country support Zionism and the state of Israel, created a hostile atmosphere for Jews. The rhetorical attacks also further blurred the line between Zionism, Judaism, and Israel and contributed to increased concerns about the future security of the Jewish community.

Many Jews have sought to limit their contact with or support for the state of Israel out of fear of reprisal. Recent anti-American and anti-Israeli demonstrations included the denunciation of Jews, as opposed to the past practice of denouncing only "Israel" and "Zionism," adding to the threatening atmosphere for the community. In 2005 many newspapers celebrated the one-hundredth anniversary of the anti-Semitic publication Protocols of the Elders of Zion. Jewish community members continued to emigrate, in part due to continued anti-Semitism on the part of the Government and within society.

[...] Since August 2005 President Ahmadi-Nejad has pursued a virulent anti-Israel campaign, including commenting on the 2006 conflict between Israel and Hezbollah as triggering the countdown for the "destruction of the Zionist regime." President Ahmadi-Nejad also publicly questioned the existence or the scale of the Holocaust, which created an even more hostile environment for the Jewish minority. Friday prayer leaders endorsed the President's Holocaust denial statements and reported the statements are "the heartfelt words of all Muslims in the world."

On December 11 and 12, 2006, the Government sponsored a conference entitled, "Review of the Holocaust: Global Vision." This conference was widely criticized as it provided a forum for those who deny the existence or scale of the Holocaust. Speakers at the conference universally called for the elimination or delegitimization of the state of Israel and concluded that the Holocaust did not occur or that the scale of the Holocaust was exaggerated by Jews for political or financial gain.

In mid 2006 the newspaper Hamshahri cosponsored a Holocaust cartoon contest, soliciting submissions from around the world and awarding a $12,000 (111,000,000 rials) prize to a Moroccan cartoonist who drew a picture of an Israeli crane erecting a wall of concrete blocks around the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, Islam's third holiest site. The blocks bear sections of a photograph of the Nazi extermination camp at Auschwitz-Birkenau. The Government sponsored an exhibit of these cartoons in Tehran on August 14, 2006.

Jewish community leaders protested the President's Holocaust denial comments and the Holocaust cartoon contest. The sole Jewish Majlis deputy, Moris Motamed, condemned the President's remarks on the Holocaust, saying in a September 22, 2006, BBC news article, "It is very regrettable to see a horrible tragedy so far reaching as the Holocaust being denied…it was a very big insult to Jews all around the world."

Within the domestic press, anti-Semitism in the media was present, and anti-Semitic editorial cartoons depicting demonic and stereotypical images of Jews, along with Jewish symbols, were published during the reporting period."

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2007 - Source: US Department of State

2 Synagogues assaulted in 2007 ("International Religious Freedom Report 2007") [ID 21429]

"Jewish groups reported that two synagogues in the country were assaulted during the reporting period, largely because a hard-line newspaper, Yalesarat, published two photos of synagogues displaying Israeli flags and falsely claimed that the synagogues were in the country."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

President's speeches against Israel, government sponsered conferences which deny the existence of the Holocaust and anti-Semitism in the media create a threatening atmosphere for the Jewish community ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 20832]

"Estimates of the size of the Jewish community varied from 15,000 to 30,000. The government's anti-Israel stance, in particular the president's speeches against Israel stating the Zionist regime should be eliminated, and the perception among many citizens that Jewish citizens supported Zionism and Israel, created a threatening atmosphere for the community.

On December 11 and 12, the government sponsored a conference entitled, "Review of the Holocaust: Global Vision." This conference was widely criticized as it sought to provide a forum for those who deny the existence or scope of the Holocaust. Topics included: "Nazism and Zionism: Cooperation or Hostility;" "Holocaust: Concept and Justification/Evidence;" "Gas Chambers: Denial or Confirmation;" "Aftermath and Exploitation;" "Anti- Semitism and the Emergence of Zionism;" and "Western Media and Propaganda." Speakers at the conference universally called for the elimination or delegitimization of the state of Israel and concluded that the Holocaust did not occur or was an exaggeration used by Jews for political and financial gains. […]

[…] In the fall the newspaper Hamshahri cosponsored a Holocaust cartoon contest in which the paper solicited submissions from around the world and awarded a $12,000 (approximately 111,000 rials) prize to a Moroccan cartoonist who drew a picture of an Israeli crane erecting a wall of concrete blocks around the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, Islam's third holiest site. The blocks bear sections of a photograph of the Nazi extermination camp at Auschwitz-Birkenau.

Within the domestic press, anti-Semitism in the media was present and anti-Semitic editorial cartoons depicting demonic and stereotypical images of Jews along with Jewish symbols were published throughout the year, primarily in the government¬-controlled owned daily newspaper, Al-Wifaq, and occurred without government response.

In October 2005 President Ahmadinejad told "The World without Zionism" conference that, "as the Imam [revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini] said, Israel must be wiped off the map." While chants of "death to Israel" had been common at public gatherings prior to this declaration, Ahmadinejad's comment was the first public call for Israel's destruction by a high-ranking government official in recent years. Supreme Leader Khamenei, while not repudiating Ahmadinejad's remarks, said the country would not commit aggression against any nation.

Nevertheless, Ahmadinejad continued in subsequent speeches to make similar comments, labeling the Holocaust a myth and calling for the removal of the Jewish state from the Middle East. For example, on April 15, at the opening of a conference supporting Palestinians he said, "Like it or not, the Zionist regime is headed towards annihilation." He followed this remark on April 27 on live state television claiming, "The regime in Israel will one day vanish." On July 8, Ahmadinejad stated that "the basic problem in the Islamic world is the existence of the Zionist regime, and the Islamic world and the region must mobilize to remove this problem," and later that month statedduring an emergency meeting with Muslim leaders that "the real cure for the Lebanon conflict is the elimination of the Zionist regime, but there should be first an immediate cease-fire."

On August 3, in a speech before the Organization of the Islamic Conference, he said, "the Zionist regime is fraudulent and illegitimate and cannot survive," and on October 19 and November 13, Ahmadinejad stated, "The regime in Israel will be gone, definitely. You, the Western powers, should know that any government that stands by the Zionist regime from now on will not see any result but the hatred of people." On December 12, he stated that he wished to give "thanks to people's wishes and God's will the trend for the existence of the Zionist regime is downwards and this is what God has promised and what all nations want…Just as the Soviet Union was wiped out and today does not exist, so will the Zionist regime soon be wiped out."

The sole Jewish member of parliament (MP) condemned the president's remarks on the Holocaust, noting in a September 22 BBC News article that "it is very regrettable to see a horrible tragedy so far reaching as the Holocaust being denied…it was a very big insult to Jews all around the world."

The Jewish MP also complained in April 2005 that the state-run Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) television network transmitted anti-Semitic programs, although he noted this year that such broadcasts were sporadic. According to local press, IRIB replied in a letter later in April that wasread in the Majles that its programming was based on "research and documentary evidence" and claimed that IRIB's programming gave more attention to positive Jewish characters than negative ones. IRIB's statement notwithstanding, anti-Semitic material on national television included a serial started in December 2004 called Zahra's Blue Eyes, in which Israelis reportedly kidnapped Palestinian children to harvest organs for transplant."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Government has made education of Jewish children more difficult; limits on the level to which Jews could rise professionally ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 20833]

"In recent years the government has made education of Jewish children more difficult by limiting distribution of Hebrew texts and requiring several Jewish schools to remain open on Saturdays, the Jewish Sabbath.

There were limits on the level to which Jews could rise professionally, particularly in government."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Jewish citizens are permitted to obtain passports and to travel outside the country ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 20837]

"[...] Jewish citizens were permitted, however, to obtain passports and travel outside the country,without previous limits on multiple-exit visas or restriction on permitting all family members to travel at once."

Document(s): Open document

04.03.2007 - Source: Minority Rights Group International

Annual report on current situation of Jews ("State of the World's Minorities 2007") [ID 22402]

"The 25,000 Jews of Iran, the largest population in the Middle East outside Israel, continued their coexistence with the Shia Persian majority despite some provocations.

In July 2006, during the Lebanon war, an Iranian newspaper falsely reported that Iranian Jews were celebrating Israeli independence day, which prompted extremists to target two synagogues.

The community has watched nervously as new Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has threatened to ‘wipe Israel off the map’ and questioned the dimensions of the Holocaust. His campaign promoting Holocaust denial culminated in an international conference held in Tehran in December 2006 – a move that met with widespread condemnation in Europe and the US."

Document(s): Open document

15.09.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Discrimination against Jews and restriction of their religious practice ("International Religious Freedom Report 2006") [ID 17641]

"In principle, but with some exceptions, there was little restriction of or interference with Jewish religious practice; however, education of Jewish children had become more difficult in recent years. The Government reportedly allowed Hebrew instruction, recognizing that it was necessary for Jewish religious practice. However, it limited the distribution of Hebrew texts, in practice making it difficult to teach the language. Moreover, the Government required that in conformity with the schedule of other schools, several Jewish schools must remain open on Saturdays, which violates Jewish law. Jewish citizens were permitted to obtain passports and travel outside the country, but they were often denied the multiple-exit permits normally issued to other citizens and faced numerous obstacles from officials to travel abroad. With the exception of certain business travelers, the authorities required Jews to obtain clearance and pay additional fees before each round trip abroad. Members of all religious minorities appeared to be emigrating in higher numbers even though immigration was illegal under Iranian law."

Document(s): Open document

15.09.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Vandalism, harassment and boycotts after trial against Jews ("International Religious Freedom Report 2006") [ID 17656]

"In 2000, ten of thirteen Jews arrested in 1999 were convicted on charges of illegal contact with Israel, conspiracy to form an illegal organization, and recruiting agents. Along with two Muslim defendants, the ten Jews received prison sentences ranging from four to thirteen years. During and shortly after the trial, Jewish-owned businesses in Tehran and Shiraz were targets of vandalism and boycotts, and Jews reportedly suffered personal harassment and intimidation. There was one report of vandalism against a synagogue during the reporting period."

Document(s): Open document

15.09.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Anti-semitic acts ("International Religious Freedom Report 2006") [ID 17777]

"While Jews are a recognized religious minority, allegations of official discrimination were frequent. The Government's anti-Israel policies, along with a perception among radical Muslims that all Jewish citizens supported Zionism and the state of Israel, created a hostile atmosphere for the small community. For example, in 2005 many newspapers celebrated the one-hundredth anniversary of the anti-Semitic publication Protocols of the Elders of Zion. Jewish leaders reportedly were reluctant to draw attention to official mistreatment of their community due to fear of government reprisal.

The Jewish community has been reduced to less than one-half of its pre-1979 size. Some of this emigration was connected with the larger, general waves of departures following the establishment of the Islamic Republic, but some also stems from continued anti-Semitism on the part of the government and within society.

In 2004, the country's Sahar 1 television station began airing a weekly series titled For You, Palestine, or Zahra's Blue Eyes, set in Israel and the West Bank. Produced in Farsi and subsequently translated into Arabic, this series depicted Israeli government, military, and civilian personnel harvesting organs from Palestinian children for the benefit of Israeli officials. Other anti-Semitic series shown on state-run Iranian television during this period included The People of the Cave, a supposedly historical drama series, and Al-Shatat. Al-Shatat, originally broadcasted by Hizbullah's Al-Manar television channel, portrayed Jewish persons as being responsible for most the world's problems, by conspiring to achieve political and economic domination over the world.

In April 2005, Ayatollah Hossein Nouri-Hamedani, one of the country's leading religious authorities, told a group of clerics that "one should fight the Jews and vanquish them," to prepare the ground and to hasten the advent of the Hidden Imam.

On April 13, Representative Moris Motamed, who represents Jews in the majlis, joined by the speaker of the majlis, complained that the state television was broadcasting anti-Semitic programs. According to the press, Motamed claimed that "insulting Jews and attributing false things to them in television serials over the past twelve years has not only hurt the feelings of the Jewish community but has also led to the emigration of a considerable percentage of the Jewish community." There were indications that anti-Semitic content in broadcasting decreased after these complaints.

The perception among some of the country's radicalized elements that Jews support Zionism and the state of Israel created a threatening atmosphere for the Jewish community Many Jews have sought to limit their contact with or support for the state of Israel out of fear of reprisal. Recent anti-American and anti-Israeli demonstrations included the denunciation of Jews themselves, as opposed to the past practice of denouncing only "Israel" and "Zionism," adding to the threatening atmosphere for the community."

Document(s): Open document

08.2005 - Source: Freedom House

Religious freedom ("Freedom in the World 2005") [#41317],  [ID 8843]

"[...]The constitution recognizes Zoroastrians, Jews, and Christians as religious minorities and generally allows them to worship without interference so long as they do not proselytize. However, they are barred from election to representative bodies (though a set number of parliamentary seats are reserved for them), cannot hold senior government or military positions, and face restrictions in employment, education, and property ownership.[...]"

Document(s): Open document

28.02.2005 - Source: US Department of State

Situation of Jews ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2004") [#29525],  [ID 8844]

"[...]Estimates of the size of the Jewish community varied from 20,000 to 30,000, a substantial reduction from the estimated 75,000 to 80,000 Jews in the country prior to the 1979 revolution. While Jews were a recognized religious minority, allegations of official discrimination were frequent. The Government's anti-Israel stance, and the perception among many citizens that Jewish citizens supported Zionism and the State of Israel, created a threatening atmosphere for the small community. Jews limited their contact with and did not openly express support for Israel out of fear of reprisal. Jewish leaders reportedly were reluctant to draw attention to official mistreatment of their community due to fear of government reprisal. [...]

The Government permitted Jews to travel abroad, but it often denied them multiple-exit permits issued to other citizens. [...]"

Document(s): Open document

31.03.2003 - Source: US Department of State

allegations of official discrimination were frequent ("Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2002") [#11869],  [ID 8845]

"While Jews were a recognized religious minority, allegations of official discrimination were frequent. The Government's anti-Israel stance, and the perception among many citizens that Jewish citizens supported Zionism and the State of Israel, created a threatening atmosphere for the small community. Jews limited their contact with and did not openly express support for Israel out of fear of reprisal. Recent anti-American and anti-Israeli demonstrations included the denunciation of Jews, as opposed to the past practice of denouncing only Israel and Zionism, adding to the threatening atmosphere for the community. Jewish leaders reportedly were reluctant to draw attention to official mistreatment of their community due to fear of government reprisal.

Some Jewish groups outside the country reported an increase in anti-Semitic propaganda in the official and semiofficial media. One example was the periodic publication of the anti-Semitic and fictitious "Protocols of the Elders of Zion," both by the Government and by periodicals associated with hard line elements of the Government.

The Government allowed the practice of Judaism, but restricted and interfered with it in practice. Education of Jewish children has become more difficult in recent years. The Government allowed the teaching of Hebrew, recognizing its necessity for the practice of Judaism. However, it strongly discouraged teachers from distributing Hebrew texts to students, making it difficult to teach the language in practice. The Government also required that several Jewish schools remain open on Saturdays, the Jewish Sabbath, to conform with the schedule of other schools in the school system.

Jews were gradually dismissed from most government positions after 1979. Members of the community are permitted to obtain passports and to travel outside the country; however, with the exception of certain business travelers, they were required by the authorities to obtain government clearance (and pay additional fees) before each trip abroad. The Government appeared concerned about the emigration of Jews. Permission generally was not granted for all members of Jewish families to travel outside the country at the same time (see Section 2.d.).
In February and March 1999, 13 Jews were arrested in the cities of Shiraz and Isfahan. Among the group were several prominent rabbis, teachers of Hebrew, and their students. The charges centered on alleged acts of espionage on behalf of Israel, an offense punishable by death. The 13 were jailed for more than a year before trial, largely in solitary confinement, without official charges or access to lawyers. In April 2000, the defendants were appointed lawyers, and a closed trial commenced in a revolutionary court in Shiraz. Human rights groups and governments around the world criticized the lack of due process in the proceedings. The UNSR characterized them as "in no way fair." In July 2000, 10 of the 13, along with 2 Muslim defendants, were convicted on charges of illegal contact with Israel, conspiracy to form an illegal organization, and recruiting agents. They received prison sentences ranging from 4 to 13 years. Three were acquitted. The lawyers of those convicted filed an appeal and in September 2000, an appeals court overturned the convictions for forming an illegal organization and recruiting agents, but upheld the convictions for illegal contacts with Israel. Their sentences were reduced to between 2 and 9 years imprisonment. In January 2001, the Supreme Court rejected a final appeal. One of the ten convicted was released in February 2001 upon completion of his prison term, and another was released in January of this year at the end of his term. Three additional prisoners were released in October, leaving five remaining in prison at year's end.
Jewish groups outside the country noted that the March 1999 arrest of the 13 Jewish individuals coincided with an increase in anti-Semitic propaganda in newspapers and journals associated with hardline elements of the Government. Since the beginning of the trial, Jewish businesses in Tehran and Shiraz have been targets of vandalism and boycotts, and Jews have reportedly suffered personal harassment and intimidation.

The group "Families of Iranian Jewish Prisoners" (FIJP) has gone public with the names of twelve Iranian Jews who disappeared while attempting to leave the country in the 1990s. FIJP believes that the government has dealt with these cases differently than it dealt with other cases of people being captured while trying to escape from the country because these individuals were Jewish (see Section 1.b.)."

Document(s): Open document

27.10.2002 - Source: BBC News

BBC: ("Jailed Iranian Jews pardoned") [#9267],  [ID 8848]

Document(s): Open document

07.10.2002 - Source: US Department of State

US State Department: While Jews are a recognized religious minority, allegations of official discrimination are frequent ("International Religious Freedom Report") [#8971],  [ID 8847]

"While Jews are a recognized religious minority, allegations of official discrimination are frequent. The Government’s anti-Israel policies, along with a perception among radical Muslim elements that Jewish citizens support Zionism and the State of Israel, create a threatening atmosphere for the small Jewish community. Jewish leaders reportedly are reluctant to draw attention to official mistreatment of their community due to fear of government reprisal.

In principle with some exceptions, there appears to be little restriction or interference with the religious practice of Judaism. However, education of Jewish children has become more difficult in recent years. The Government reportedly allows the teaching of Hebrew, recognizing that it is necessary for Jewish religious practice. However, it strongly discourages teachers from distributing Hebrew texts to students, in practice making it difficult to teach the language. Moreover, the Government has required that several Jewish schools remain open on Saturdays, the Jewish Sabbath, in conformity with the schedule of other schools in the school system. Because working or attending school on the Sabbath violates Jewish religious law, this requirement has made it difficult for observant Jews to both attend school and adhere to important tenets of their religion.

Jews are permitted to obtain passports and to travel outside the country, but often are denied the multiple-exit permits that normally are issued to citizens. With the exception of certain business travelers, Jews are required by the authorities to obtain clearance (and pay additional fees) before each trip abroad. The Government appears concerned about the emigration of Jews and permission generally is not granted for all members of a Jewish family to travel outside the country at the same time. Jews were removed progressively from government positions after the 1979 revolution."

Document(s): Open document

10.2002 - Source: UK Home Office

UK Home Office: Jews are a constitutionally recognised minority ("Country Assessment - October 2002") [#9556],  [ID 8846]

"5.55. Jews are a constitutionally recognised minority of 20,000-40,000, with one representative in the Majlis. Before 1979 the Jewish population of Iran was estimated at 100,000. Most live in Teheran. After the revolution they were eased out of government positions as well as from some private sector employment. As a result they are engaged for the most part in small businesses and commercial pursuits. They are permitted to obtain passports and travel (including to Israel), but they are normally denied multiple entry visas and permission for entire families to travel abroad together.
5.56. In May 1998 a Jewish businessman Ruhollah Kakhodah-Zadeh, was hanged in prison without a public charge or legal proceeding. He may have been killed for assisting Jews to emigrate. As an accountant, Kakhoda-Zadeh had provided power-of-attorney services for Jews departing the country.

5.57. In February and March 1999, 13 Jews were arrested by security forces in the cities of Isfahan and Shiraz. Among the group were several prominent rabbis, teachers of Hebrew, and their students, one a 16-year-old boy. They were held for 14 months or more without formal charges until their trial began in May 2000. The delay in clarification of charges appeared to violate Article 32 of the Constitution, which states in part that in cases of arrest “charges with the reasons for accusation must, without delay, be communicated and explained to the accused in writing, and a provisional dossier must be forwarded to the competent judicial authorities within a maximum of 24 hours so that the preliminaries to the trial can be completed as swiftly as possible”.

5.58. Eight Iranian Muslims were also arrested. There was a strong feeling that the case was being used by hard-liners to undermine the reformists' efforts to improve Iran's image and relations with the outside world. Defence lawyers said the prosecution's case rested largely on confessions given while the defendants were held in solitary confinement with no lawyers present. Two prominent ayatollahs had called for the death penalty but in the event the judge imposed jail sentences of four to thirteen years for 10 of the accused Jews. These sentences were further reduced on appeal. 3 others were acquitted. One of the 10 convicted was released in February 2001 upon completion of his prison term. A second was released at the end of his prison term in January 2002.

5.59. Education of Jewish children has become more difficult in recent years. The Government reportedly allows the teaching of Hebrew, recognizing that it is necessary for Jewish religious practice. However, it strongly discourages teachers from distributing Hebrew texts to students, in practice making it difficult to teach the language. Moreover, the Government has required that several Jewish schools remain open on Saturdays, the Jewish Sabbath, in conformity with the schedule of other schools in the school system. Because working or attending school on the Sabbath violates Jewish religious law, this requirement has made it difficult for observant Jews to both attend school and adhere to important tenets of their religion.

5.60. Jews are reportedly allowed to practice their religion freely, provided that they do not proselytise. Their laws on divorce and burial are accepted by the Islamic courts and they enjoy a degree of self-administration. In general they do not face persecution because of their religion. This said, they might face bureaucratic difficulties such as having to wait longer for the issue of travel documents."

Document(s): Open document

11.2001 - Source: Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and Asylum Research and Documentation

ACCORD: The Jewish religion is officially recognized by the Iranian Constitution ("7th European Country of Origin Information Seminar Berlin, 11 - 12 June 2001: Final Report - Iran") [#7661],  [ID 8849]

"About 27.000 Jews are thought to live in Iran making it the largest Jewish community in
the Middle East outside Israel. The community is based in Tehran, the central Fars
province and in particular Shiraz and Isfahan. Around 10,000 are estimated to live in
Tehran. Prior to the Revolution the community was estimated to be 70,000. Since the
Revolution there have been large departures of members of the Jewish community.
Together with the Christian and Zoroastrian faiths the Jewish religion is one of the three
religious minorities officially recognized by the Iranian Constitution. The Iranian Jewish
community has the right to one seat in the Majles and its members have the right to
profess their faith. Undoubtedly there is a certain degree of discrimination. This is
evident from the Iranian laws that clearly make a distinction in treatment between
Muslims and non-Muslims."

Document(s): cois2001-irn.pdf

11.2001 - Source: Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and Asylum Research and Documentation

00.11.2001 – ACCORD: The "espionage" trial ("7th European Country of Origin Information Seminar Berlin, 11 - 12 June 2001: Final Report - Iran") [#7661],  [ID 8850]

"In March 1999, 13 Jews were arrested in Shiraz and Isfahan and charged with spying against the Islamic Republic of Iran on behalf of Israel and the US. The group consisted of Rabbis, religious teachers and community workers and all belonged to the more orthodox section of the Jewish community in Fars province. Shortly after the arrest, while international pressure was increasing, it was announced that in addition to the 13 Jews, 8 Iranian Muslims had also been arrested for the same offence. Ultimately, only 4 Muslims remained of the original group of 8. The verdict, issued on 1 July 2000, found 12 suspects guilty (10 Iranian Jews and 2 Muslims) and acquitted 5 suspects (3 Iranian Jews and 2 Muslims). Those convicted were given prison sentences of between 2 to 13 years, although an appeals court in September 2000 reduced the sentences by up to 6 years, leaving the convicted men with sentences of 2 to 9 years.

According to most analysts at the time, the arrests were seen in the context of attempts by hard-line conservatives in the judiciary to discredit the reform-minded Government by tainting its successes in the field of diplomacy and foreign policy. According to Morris Motamed, a newly elected Jewish representative in the Majles, Jewish emigration had
accelerated in 1999 as a result of apprehension due to the spy case. However, from his point of view, there are no religious reasons to leave Iran.

Asked if following this trial, the situation had deteriorated for the Jewish community, the UN Special Rapporteur on Iran, Maurice Copithorne, stated that the situation had not deteriorated over the last 5 years. However, with regard to the overall situation, Mr Copithorne noted that a latent anti-semitic dimension existed in Iran.

According to Amnesty International, the situation of Jews is quite complex. The Shiraz trial certainly had a negative knock-on effect concerning anti-Jewish sentiments. In this context, it is also worth noting that the entry and exit of some minorities, and Jews in particular, is closely regulated and that the Iranian authorities meet annually with leading Iranian Jews in Geneva to review who will be allowed to leave and enter the country.

UNHCR would not declare a situation of general persecution of Jews in Iran. Claims should, however, be considered on a case by case basis, taking into consideration the subjective elements of the individual case that might have been exacerbated by the Court case and the verdict. Also elements of discrimination should be considered that could lead to the assessment that on cumulative grounds one could speak of discrimination amounting to persecution."

Document(s): cois2001-irn.pdf