Jewish Persecution By Iran

Nadene Goldfoot

A large part of Jewish persecution in Iran started in 1637 when Islam arrived in Persia. They were treated terribly and from time to time rulers forced Jews to convert to Islam. That's what brought Daniel, my new cousin by marriage, to the states.

Good times in Iran came to an end in 1979 when the Shah was exiled and Islamic radicals came to power. He was a child at the time. In 1985 all Jewish schools were forced to close and children had to attend Moslem schools The principal wanted him to convert to Islam and join the army to fight against Iraq. The family spent their entire life savings to smuggle him out of the country.

14 boys including Daniel were taken by smugglers on camels at night over the border of Pakistan, caught by their police, let go after begging and paying them $20. They went to Austria through the UN embassy and with Swiss passports, got out of the country. He was 16 years old and all alone when he arrived in America.

Now the Iranians have the audacity to condemn Israel for the very acts they have committed against Jews. Israel has only acted to defend itself, and warned their aggressors first of such action.