Outrage
"Oppression of religious minori-
ties is a distinguishing mark —
an indelible stain — on this
Iranian regime. Since the advent
of the Islamic revolution under
Ayatollah Khomeini in 1979, at
least 17 other Iranian Jews
accused of spying have been exe-
cuted, some as recently as two
years ago. The persecution of
Iran's large Baha'i majority has
been vicious. Iran is being judged
by its deeds, and must be dealt
with accordingly."
— Richard Heideman
president, B'nai B'rith
International, Washington, D.C.
"It almost seems surreal that, fol-
lowing the Jewish community's
successful efforts in recent
decades to free Jews in the former
Soviet Union, Syria and Ethiopia,
we now enter the new century
faced with the tragedy of Jewish
prisoners of conscience in Iran.
Our council will continue its
efforts to bring their plight to
the attention of, and call for
action by, the media, interfaith
leaders, government officials and
foreign governments, working
with the local Anti-Defamation
League, American Jewish
Committee and other organiza-
tions in this effort."
— Kathleen Straus
president, Jewish Community
Council of Metropolitan Detroit
"Although we were relieved at
the acquittal of the three who
were released previously on bail,
the remaining 10 Iranian Jews
were convicted through a bla-
tant miscarriage of justice. The
only so-called crimes that these
innocent Jewish people commit-
ted were the teaching of Torah
and Jewish tradition to mem-
bers of the Jewish community.
"We urge all our members and
people of conscience the world
over to continue the vigilance
against this injustice and to labor
for the release of the 10 impris-
oned Iranians as well as for the
safety and security of the 27,000
Jews living in Iran."
— Betty Ehrenberg
director, International Affairs,
Orthodox Union, New York
7/7
2000
28
are working with the enemy," he said. "And if there were,
say, no milk for babies, Iranians looking to blame someone
might find the easiest target to be the Jew on the street."
With that in mind, Jewish lobbyists know they must
tread a fine line.
Malcolm Hoenlein, executive vice chairman of the
Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish
Organizations, which has been at the forefront of efforts to
free the Iranian Jewish suspects, says it boils down to "how
do we maximize the gains and minimize the losses."
The potential to further imperil Iranian Jewry, he said,
"is a consideration we have to take into account. I'm not
dismissing it. But you have to reward good behavior and
punish bad behavior."
Seeking Engagement
Regardless of the stance of American Jewry, the United
States and the European Union sound as if they will try to
balance their own reflex to react strongly to the verdict
with their desire to engage Iran and draw it into the com-
munity of democratic, human rights-respecting nations.
Since the 1997 election of Khatami, Washington has
taken small, mostly symbolic steps toward easing sanctions,
Limits For Lobbyists
Among the problems facing U.S. Jewish leaders is the
question of how much of a difference Jewish lobbying
will make on policy-makers in Washington and abroad.
Of late, the track record is not too good.
Clinton, in a June 22 letter to Hoenlein, assured him
that "I will remain actively engaged in this matter, and
will continue to make every effort on their behalf until
we see justice done." Still, the U.S. easing of sanctions
in April took place despite some Jewish opposition.
In June, several European members of the World
Bank approved — despite opposition from the United
States — a $231 million loan to Iran for water distribu-
tion projects.
Also in June, Albright announced that the United
States would no longer brand certain regimes, including
Iran, as "rogue states" but by a toned-down and
euphemistic term — "countries of concern."
Phase Two
Hoenlein said that with the verdict in, Jewish leaders
will now begin "Phase Two" of the campaign on behalf
of the Iranian prisoners. While the pressure earlier was
`Iran 13' Sentences
The following are the sentences handed down Saturday on the "Iran 13') by a revolutionary court in Iran:
Hamid Tefileen, 29, merchant — 13 years in prison
Asher Zadmehr, 49, university English instructor — 13 years
Nasser Levi Haim, 46, Hebrew teacher — 1 I years
Ramin Farzam, 36, perfume mechant — 10 years
Jawed Beit Yakov, 41, sporting goods merchant nine years
Farzad Kashi, 31, religion teacher — eight years
Shahrokh Paknahad, 23, religion teacher — eight years
Farhad Saleh, 31, shopkeeper — eight years
some of which have been in place since soon after the 1979
Islamic Revolution.
The United States wants improved relations with Iran in
an effort to gain leverage with a state that has sponsored
terrorism and undermined the Middle East peace process.
Of course, Iran, also has enormous oil resources, and is
strategically located near the vast oil reserves in the
Caucasus. American oil companies are reportedly champ-
ing at the bit to leap in and compete with the French corn-
panies that have already made inroads with Tehran.
The trial of the Iranian Jews, however, has set back
efforts to seek rapprochement with Tehran. With American
Jewish leaders and Israel publicizing the case, American
officials were unable to simply ignore it.
President Clinton has been quoted as calling the case
"an irritant" — which observers said reflected his displea-
sure at having his options vis-a-vis Iran hamstrung by the
case.
In April, even as she announced the easing of import
sanctions against Iranian luxury goods like caviar, pista-
chios and Persian carpets, Secretary of State Madeleine
Albright said the impending trial would be a "barometer
for U.S.-Iranian relations."
.
.
Faramarz Kashi, 35, Hebrew teacher
(brother of Farzad Kashi) — five years
Ramin Nemati, 23, merchant — four years
Acquitted:
Navid Bala Zadeh, 17, student
Nejat Broukhim, 36
Omid Tefileen. 26 (brother of Hamid Tefileen)
Source: Jeu711:h Telegraphic A gency
on the Iranian judiciary, now they'll cast the spotlight
on Khatami, the reformist.
"We know about the internal opposition and the
problems, but now is the time for Khatami - to act and
undo this injustice," Hoenlein said.
"We aren't looking to embarrass him, or to create cir-
cumstances that will make it even more difficult for
him to make moves. But this is a test case for him. He
has to show whether he really is interested in reform."
Yet this, too, may only backfire for the West and
potentially undermine whatever reform efforts are
underway, says Moallemian, the human rights activist.
"Even if there were support for such a thing, it would
be used against the moderates to weaken them," he
said.
Moallemian also cautioned against any sanctions.
Instead, he said, frustration with Iran ought to be chan-
neled into support for the opposition.
"I understand the need for immediate vengeance and
to inflict pain is something we've all felt at times,"
Moallemian said. "But sometimes, it's more important
to sit back and reflect on the bigger picture of what
may be the impact of any action we might take." ❑