
I.
BACKGROUND
When
the "refugee issue" is discussed within the context
of the Middle East, people invariably refer to Palestinian refugees,
not Jews displaced from Arab countries. Neither the mass violations
of human rights nor the displacement of Jews from Arab countries
has ever been adequately addressed by the international community.
It
would be an injustice to recognize the rights of Palestinian refugees
without recognizing equal rights for former Jewish refugees from
Arab countries.
II.
IMPORTANCE OF PROJECT
To
credibly, and effectively assert the legitimate rights of former
Jewish refugees from Arab countries, an international campaign
is required that would both examine the mass violations of human
rights and catalogue the loss of extensive communal and individual
assets. That comprehensive data is not available today.
That
is why the Israeli Cabinet, in March 2002 and December 2003, called
for efforts "to gather information, data, claims and documents...
(and) record details of Jewish private and communal property in
Arab countries and the denial of their rights". This International
Rights and Redress Campaign, can only be successful with the united
efforts of Jewish communities and organizations worldwide. Leadership
is required and time is of the essence.
III.
INTERNATIONAL RIGHTS AND REDRESS CAMPAIGN
Jewish
communities in some 20 countries are participating
in the International Rights and Redress Campaign
to assert the rights of former Jewish refugees from Arab countries.
The campaign seeks to target governments, the media, Jewish organizations,
synagogues and Jewish day schools in all Diaspora Jewish communities.
Organized
by Justice for Jews from Arab Countries (JJAC), the goals
are: