Deja vu — Judith Apter Klinghoffer
IRAN BLAMED FOR THE MURDER OF UZBEKISTAN'S JEWISH LEADER
A week ago I reported about the destruction of the last synagogue in Tajikistan. Apparently we are also dealing with the destruction of a cemetery. Thank God, only a couple of hundred Jews remain there, but those who left are now wondering whether they should go back to dig up the graves of their dead.
As upsetting as this news may be, it pales in comparison to the news of the 33-year-old rabbi who led the Tashkent community and was murdered in cold blood. "The local Jewish community is convinced that anti-Semites are behind the murder, because the Rabbi was not robbed of his possessions."
The International Sephardic Leadership Council's official response blames IRAN:
The destruction of the Tajikistan synagogue last week was the most disgraceful act committed by a sovereign state toward its Jewish population since the end of WWII. Now, a suspicious murder of the leader of the sister Jewish community, only 4 hours away, raises concern that the Jews may be being targeted. We have heard, through official channels, that Iran may be involved with stirring up trouble in the region, and to that extent, we hope a full and fair investigation will be opened.
That is, indeed, the very least we should insist on.
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