Israel Justice Minister Pledges Israel's Support for International Rights and Redress Campaign for Jewish Refugees from Arab Countries

New York, NY (PRWEB) October 30, 2006 -- "Don't sit still"! That was the call to action, proclaimed by Israel's Minister of Justice Meir Sheetrit to over 40 Jewish leaders from 10 countries who launched the "International Rights and Redress Campaign" to secure rights for nearly one million Jews displaced from Arab countries.

In the presence of representatives from Israel, North and South America, Europe, and Asia, Minister Sheetrit vowed strong support from the Israeli government for the campaign. "I pledge today to finance and reactivate a serious unit within the Justice Ministry to help in the global effort of recording the history and culture of our own dispossessed Jewish people, and to document their claims no less than the well-known claims of the Palestinians," he declared. The Minister assured delegates of the Government's support for the international registration effort and affirmed that adequate funding would be available to ensure the success of the registration campaign in Israel.

Convened by Justice for Jews from Arab Countries (JJAC) and the World Organization of Jews from Arab Countries (WOJAC), the two-day summit of leaders of Diaspora Jewish communities and organizations in Jerusalem mapped out far-reaching steps to identify, register family histories, and document vast individual and communal property losses of Jewish refugees from Arab countries. A global oral history project was announced through which survivors of the mass flight will be able to tell their personal stories and memories in their own words.

"The clock is ticking. With memories fading and many displaced and dispossessed Jews passing on every month, this is our last, best chance to record this significant chapter of Jewish history," said Stanley A. Urman, Executive Director, JJAC, "Two—not one refugee populations were caused by years of strife in the region, and our campaign will insist that the world community recognize both rights and redress for the mass violations of human rights that befell Jews from Arab countries."

A call-to-action "Declaration" was unanimously adopted by participants who represented Jewish communities on five continents. The statement calls for "public education programs on the rights of Jewish refugees from Arab countries…and registration of communal and individual losses suffered by Jews who were uprooted from Arab countries."

Not since the days of the Soviet Jewry movement in the 1970's, has the worldwide Jewish community come together as they have now for this single cause. JJAC is a coalition of Jewish communal organizations made up of nearly ever major Jewish organization in the United States. The International Rights and Redress Campaign being coordinated by JJAC will be assisted through a partnership of 40 international Jewish organizations.

Photos of Minister Meir Sheetrit at this event can be obtained at: www.justiceforjews.com/photos.html

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