September 2, 2008

Islamic republic's goverment lets Jews leave country only if they promise not to immigrate to Jewish state

By Adina Ababa

Iranian Jew (archives) Photo: Reuters

Iran opens another front in its war against Israel: The Iranian government has begun demanding that Jews leaving the country make a promise not to immigrate to Israel.

Several weeks ago, some 40 Jews arrived in Austria from Tehran in a bid to immigrate to the United States after receiving the required permits and visas. The American authorities are delaying the documents, while the Iranian Jews are stranded in Vienna.

The Jewish community in Vienna and the Jewish Agency suggested that the Iranian Jews immigrate to Israel instead of waiting for the required permits to enter the US, but the Jews refused, saying they promised the Iranian government they would not immigrate to Israel.

The organization responsible for flying the Jews from Tehran to Vienna is the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS), America’s oldest international migration and refugee resettlement agency. HIAS protects persecuted and oppressed Jews worldwide and helps deliver those wishing to emigrate to safe countries.

According to estimates, the Jews stuck in Vienna will receive their visas in the coming days and will be able to begin their new life in Los Angeles.