Jewish Iraqis May Be in Danger Following the Release of WikiLeaks Cables
- Posted on October 11, 2011 at 6:54pm by
Billy Hallowell
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Rev. White and his adopted Iraqi daughter (Photo Credit: MCT)
Rev. Canon Andrew White, an Anglican priest located in Baghdad, Iraq, says that he’s working with the U.S. Embassy there to try and convince a number of Jews who still live in the region to vacate. White believes that these individuals may be in danger after their names appeared in cables that were published by Wikileaks last month.
But convincing them to leave has been an extremely difficult task. White explains that he originally approached them directly following the publication of the cables, but that only one has agreed to emigrate to the United States. White explains the situation:
“Most want to stay. The older ones are refusing to leave. They say: ‘We’re Iraqis. Why should we go? If they kill us, we will die here.’”
While many would wonder what’s causing these Jews to double down in their insistence that they stay in their homeland, it‘s important to consider this minority group’s history in the region. The Miami Herald reports:
If White persuades Baghdad’s remaining Jews to leave it will mark the end of a 2,700-year presence that dates to the Assyrian conquest of the Judean Kingdom.
By the time U.S. forces invaded Iraq in March 2003, Baghdad’s Jewish community, which had numbered about 130,000 in the 1950s before most fled to Israel, was down to about 35 members.
As time goes on, though, this tiny group has continued to dwindle. Even Emad Levi, who was the group’s kosher slaughterer, undertaker, lay rabbi and spokesperson, has left for Israel. As a result, the sect’s synagogue is even shuttered.
The U.S. has essentially offered to help relocate the Jews and has pledged to protect them, as their names were prominently displayed by Wikileaks. In a statement, embassy officials wrote:
“Protecting individuals whose safety is at risk because of the release of the purported cables remains a priority. We are working actively to ensure that they remain safe.
Releasing the names of individuals cited in conversations that took place in confidence potentially puts their lives or careers at risk.”
YNetNews.com has more about the contents of the cables:
One of the cables, MCT reported, recounts the deteriorating conditions one member of the community said Jews faced after US troops toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003, primarily because of the rise of al-Qaeda in Iraq. [...]
“The Jews of Iraq do not appear likely to share in Iraq’s future as a nation,” the writer said. “They have no children, and cannot contribute culturally or even materially while unable to participate freely in Iraq’s public life.
“They remain in Iraq, but not of it, hiding at the center of a country whose majority may, one day, welcome them again, but does not accept them at present.”
WikiLeaks has not responded to the embassy’s statements. The cables didn’t only name the men; they also provided biographical information that could potentially be used to locate them. Levi was reached in Israel, where he said that the remaining Jews are “afraid” and that they “don’t like to talk to anyone.” White agreed and reiterated this same information.
(H/T: Miami Herald)
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riseandshine
Posted on October 13, 2011 at 4:11pmWikileaks.gov
Report Post »The next to last american president
Posted on October 12, 2011 at 2:24pmThanks Obama!
Report Post »otmonger
Posted on October 12, 2011 at 12:41pmWhy are they still in Iraqi any way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »Lord_Frostwind
Posted on October 12, 2011 at 4:24amWhy? What does Wikileaks gain by publishing information like this? Does Asange think that somehow posting information on the lives of people like this will somehow benefit what he is doing? What in the bloody crimson hell is the point?
Report Post »riseandshine
Posted on October 13, 2011 at 4:15pmEvery leak in Wikileaks is a planned leak…that way they can “leak” misinformation….100% Psyops
Report Post »riseandshine
Posted on October 13, 2011 at 4:19pm…and of course they are going to leak some truth also, to make it ALL seam real and true.
Report Post »bestartist
Posted on October 12, 2011 at 1:02amI always wonder why Assange doesn’t man up and leak all the hidden info and sub rosa FACTS about that smear masquerading as President of the United States…..now those would be some leaks worth letting out of the bag! C’mon Julian….you coward.
Report Post »Servant Of YHVH
Posted on October 12, 2011 at 3:05amPretty stupid to worry about wanting him to leak even more crap from the papers that he had stolen. In this view, for every one of these Jews that gets killed assange and everyone in his organization that had ANYTHING to do with releasing that information should be held for each count of 1st degree murder, as they knowingly put out a paper that that is essentially a hit list of targets. To me that is murder of the worst kind.
Report Post »garbagecanlogic
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 9:39pmThere are a few things WikiLeaks has done that can be approved of. However, this is one of those that cannot in any way shape or form be condoned. There will be a very special place in hell for Assange. Hopefully he will be sent there soon.
The U.S. Out Of The U.N.
Report Post »The U.N. Out Of The U.S.
lukerw
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 9:21pm“Intolerance” makes strange bed fellows… Atheists & Muslims – Iraqis & Iranians – Communists & Nazis. But, while hating a common enemy, hate makes them turn upon each other. I guess hate is alike a Cancer!
Report Post »hidden_lion
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 9:16pmTheir insistence on staying makes no sense. If they are killed, then their 2700 year history there ends anyway, they might as well live…
Report Post »ireport uderide
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 10:17pmMemo To: Children of Israel.
From: Zerubbabel.
Good News; God did not forget us.
Pack up your stuff, were moving back home to Jerusalem, Hooyah!
Take only what you can carry.
If you stay it won’t be good.
05/05/700bc
ps. forget about those guys that disobeyed God and the warning Jeremiah gave about those that didn’t go into captivity 70 years ago. Last I heard was they fled to South America (wherever that is) and are setting up a new religion, something called Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (kinda wordy). They say the pyramid work is going peachy and they are heading north to bury some gold plates. Good luck with all that…roflmao.
Report Post »AB5r
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 9:03pmOne day long in the future, a descendant of the putrid filth that currently occupy the United States of America will likewise be wondering when the Muslims will come to kill them, the last remnants of Christians and Jews in America, the once great and free land that was given away by putrid filth not worthy of the name American, sickening perverted vile creatures unworthy of the name American.
Report Post »The Divided States of America
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 8:06pmWikileaks is a anti-christian…anti-american- anti- jewish propaganda fiasco…They stir the pot with all kinds of rhetoric and deceit . They are like the ones who pointed their fingers when the jews were in hiding …they would say to the nazis…the jews are hiding in the basement…now give me my reward !!!
ive read the book and ive seen the movie…Jesus Wins!!!
Report Post »theonefromabove
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 8:28pmYou sir are 100% spon on.
http://politicalbowl.com – Political Videos
Report Post »db321
Posted on October 13, 2011 at 12:10amWikiLeaks is Teflon coated and is a part of the Obama media machine.
Report Post »riseandshine
Posted on October 13, 2011 at 6:31pm@DB….Absolutely
Report Post »riseandshine
Posted on October 13, 2011 at 6:35pmWikileaks is used for whatever purpose they choose….every “leak” is intentional.
Report Post »Scarybones
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 7:52pmIf indeed any of these people are killed then ASSange should be brought up to the international court on a charge of accessory to murder.
Report Post »NOMOBIGDRAMANOBAMA
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 7:45pmJulian Assange has some debts to pay! It is time he and his hackers who think they are journalists get after the “paying up” led by those entitled to some payback! He is nothing but a spoiled thug in a suit who hides behind “rights” he doesn’t possess.
Report Post »1casawizard
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 7:30pmSomething ought to be done about wikileaks. These people? are danger to everyone. wikileaks is like a newsflash to the badguys.
Report Post »rose-ellen
Posted on October 12, 2011 at 9:44amAssange is a great anti-american-exposing the crimes of these thiefs,torturers and massmurderers .A true defender of freedom.If there were any justice there would be war crime trials for these american war criminals. at least he’s speaking truth to power!
Report Post »TRONINTHEMORNING
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 7:24pmThe God of the Bible will never let the Jews be forsaken as most of us know. Though trouble comes to them; someday it will end by the hand of Christ.
Report Post »paperpushermj
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 9:11pmGods Blessing those who Bless the Jews
Report Post »Gods Curse to those who Cure the Jews
knighttemplar999
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 7:19pmWe can only pray that some day the USA will only have 35 Muslims, and those 35 will be in cages.
Report Post »Sirfoldallot
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 7:06pmIt’s happening again , ethnic cleansing.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 7:12pmAll Jews are “in danger”
Report Post »flatbroke
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 7:05pmThis is heinous to release info that would put peoples lives at risk, they should be stopped from doing this, but i gather no one will.
Report Post »majorsco
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 7:01pmWhat does Julian Assange care about the genocide of Jews?? Apparently he solidly approves of it!! He’ll be the direct cause of it if it happens.
Report Post »