Iranian Jews Slam 'Emigrant Stunt'

[Purveyor]

(CNN) -- -- The well-publicized landing of 40 Iranian Jews in Israel on Tuesday spurred glee among some Israelis and the immigrants themselves and drew public scorn from a surprising quarter in Iran -- two officials from its centuries-old Jewish community.

One of them described the emigration as a "misinformation" campaign and defended their lives under the government of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

The arrival in Israel was publicized as the largest single group to arrive in Israel from Iran since Iran's Islamic Revolution, and the immigrants traveled via an undisclosed third country. Other Iranian Jews have immigrated to Israel over the years.

Anti-Semitism has been a worldwide phenomenon for centuries and the state of Israel became a homeland for Jews to escape anti-Semitic persecution.

The group that sponsored the immigration is the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, based in Chicago. It says it wants to help Jews flee such persecution. The group receives money from evangelical Christians.

---EOE---

http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/12/26/iran.israel.jews/

[11cents]

1. Of course, the vast majority of Iranian Jews have already emigrated.

Those Jews and their stunts!

[LeftishBrit]

2. Not such a 'surprising quarter in Iran' - what would you expect them to say?

They probably have enough sense to realize that criticizing the regime wouldn't be such a great idea if they want to survive.

I'd be more inclined to believe those who have emigrated and are out of the reach of the regime.

[Selatius]

3. The right wing Christians simply want the Jews in Israel for the Biblical apocalypse.

In Revelation, if the Jews don't convert to Christianity, they will be cast into hell and destroyed. Dominionists are the ones who want to push the third world war in a bid to "force the hand of God."

[cali]

4. Yes, of course we shouldn't doubt the word of these guys.

Everyone knows how great the status of Jews in Iran is. And how secure they are from any form of Government persecution.

[leftynyc]

5. I wonder what kind of gun

was held to this guys head - or the head of one of his family members. "Misinformation campaign", my ass.