Former government minister Moshe Shahal, head of the World Organization of Jews from Arab Countries (WOJAC), harshly criticized the government's lack of action on behalf of the rights of Jews from Arab countries.
Former government minister Moshe Shahal resigned last month as chairman of the presidium of the World Organization of Jews from Arab Countries (WOJAC). He harshly criticized the government's lack of action on behalf of the rights of Jews from Arab countries.
Shahal was appointed to the position a year ago. His resignation comes just as the government decided to embark on a campaign to record the property of Jewish immigrants from Arab countries in cooperation with WOJAC. Despite this decision, Shahal did not retract his resignation.
In a letter to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Minister of Foreign Affairs Shimon Peres, Shahal says that their support in the struggle for the rights of Jews from Arab countries is unaccompanied by any practical measures. "The state and its institutions are not utilizing this effective public relations tools, which is a non-partisan Jewish issue of general interest.
"The claims of Jews from Arab countries are not raised firmly and aggressively in the international forum and in confrontation with Arab countries and the Palestinians. There is no energetic diplomatic action to promote worldwide recognition of the legitimate rights of these Jews. No action is being taken on urgent issues, such as the disappearance of Jewish property in Arab countries."
Published by Israel's Business Arena on March 11, 2002