House Adopts Bi-Partisan Resolution to Recognize Jewish Refugees

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A bipartisan group of lawmakers welcomed the adoption by the House of a Congressional Resolution (H.Res.185), which recognizes the plight of hundreds of thousands Jewish refugees who were displaced from countries in the Middle East, North Africa and the Persian Gulf.  The resolution was introduced by Reps. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Joseph Crowley (D-NY) and Mike Ferguson (R-NJ).  The bipartisan resolution was adopted today on a voice vote.

“Today, the House has helped shed light on the plight of Jewish refugees in the Middle East,” said Rep. Nadler.  “Their suffering is real and demands recognition.  America must reaffirm that it embraces a just and comprehensive approach to the issue of Middle East refugees.  The forced exile of Jewish refugees from Arab lands must be a part of the public dialogue on the peace process.  By seeking justice for those who suffered, we can help establish a strong and lasting peace.”

“Discussions of Middle Eastern refugees invariably focus exclusively—and shortsightedly—on the plight of those of Palestinian descent,” said Rep. Ros-Lehtinen.  Far fewer people are aware of the injustice faced by Jewish refugees from Arab lands and Iran. Many Jews saw their communities, which had existed vibrantly for centuries systematically dismantled. They lost their resources, their homes, and their heritage sites, fleeing in the face of persecution, pogroms, revolutions and brutal dictatorships.”

“Almost one million Jews have fled persecution in the Middle East.  The suffering endured by Jewish refugees deserves acknowledgement by the international community, and today the U.S. House of Representatives stood united in seeking the recognition they deserve,” said Congressman Crowley.

“The House’s action today reaffirms our commitment to recognize the plight of the hundreds of thousands of Jewish refugees who have been displaced by violence in the Middle East, North Africa and the Persian Gulf,” said Rep. Ferguson.

Following the creation of the State of Israel in 1948, the status of Jews in Arab and Muslim countries changed dramatically. When virtually all of Israel’s neighbors declared or supported war on the Jewish state, approximately 850,000 refugees were forcibly expelled from their homes. Others became political hostages. In virtually all cases, individual and communal properties were seized and/or confiscated by governments without any compensation provided.

The Nadler Resolution urges the President to ensure that when the issue of Middle East refugees is discussed in international forums, any reference to Palestinian refugees be matched by a similarly explicit reference to Jewish and other refugee populations.  

The lawmakers noted that the recognition of the plight of Jewish refugees has been led by Justice for Jews from Arab Countries, B’nai B’rith International and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.  In addition to these three groups, many other organizations had strongly advocated for the adoption of the bi-partisan resolution.