Iranian Jews emigrating to Israel

This welcome news cannot really compensate for the fact that 2007 has been the worst year for Aliya in some time. Less than 20,000 Jews came to Israel.

 

Last update - 19:14 25/12/2007    

 

 Israel welcomes largest group of Iran olim since Islamic Revolution 

 

By Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz Correspondent A group of 40 new immigrants from Iran touched down at Ben-Gurion International Airport on Tuesday, the largest since the fall of the Shah and Iran's Islamic Revolution in 1979.

 

The immigrants, from Tehran, Shiraz, and Isfahan, each received a $10,000 grant from international Jewish organizations.

 

A total of 200 Iranian Jews have immigrated to Israel in 2007, compared to only 65 in 2006.

The immigrants who arrived Tuesday flew to Israel through a third country, although which country cannot be published at this time.

 

There are an estimated 25 to 28,000 Jews currently living in Iran. The Islamic government does grant them relative freedom of religion, although they are prevented from learning Hebrew and face certain emigration restrictions.

 

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