Iranian Jews to Obama: Opportunity to fix relations 'unrepeatable'

[Jefferson23]

The leader of Tehran's Jewish community has urged U.S. President Barack Obama to take advantage of the "unrepeatable" opportunity to repair relations with Iran, AFP reported on Monday.

"If the U.S. and the international community do not make the best of this golden and perhaps unrepeatable opportunity, then it will be in the benefit of those who are against the normalization of ties between Iran and the U.S.," wrote Homayoun Sameyah, according to AFP, in an open letter addressed to Obama.

In the letter Sameyah also described in a positive light the condition of the Jewish community in Iran, AFP reported. "We, the Iranian Jews, as an Iranian religious minority, participated in the elections and elected our popular president freely."

The Jewish community, he reportedly said in a rebuttal of Netanyahu's remarks to the Iranian public, is free to "[wear] jeans and [listen] to music."

In September, the Iranian Jewish community in the United States declined an official invitation to meet with Iranian President Hassan Rohani during his visit to New York.

http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/jewish-world-news/1.552252

[MADem]

1. This isn't about Palestine...

It would probably get more play in the Middle East group.

The days of having to put EVERYTHING about Israel in the I/P group are in the past fortunately.

[Jefferson23]

2. It would work there too, thanks. I added it here mostly due to the Iranian Jews

calling out Netanyahu about his recent UN speech.

[oberliner]

3. Have you read any books about the history of the Jews in Iran?

If not, I can recommend some titles.

[Jefferson23]

4. Titles of books you've read? n/t

[oberliner]

5. Comprehensive History of the Jews of Iran: The Outset of the Diaspora

Start here:

http://www.amazon.com/Comprehensive-History-Jews-Iran-Diaspora/dp/1568590865

[Jefferson23]

6. Again, a book that you have read or not? n/t