Iran's Jews caught again in no man's land (Motamed: sole Jewish lawmaker)

[ProSense]

Iran's Jews caught again in no man's land

By BRIAN MURPHY, AP Religion Writer Sun Jul 30, 1:30 PM ET

TEHRAN, Iran - Nothing in the office of Iran's sole Jewish lawmaker calls attention to his faith — no Star of David, no menorah or other symbol of Judaism. But like nearly every public building in Iran, it has a portrait of the Islamic Revolution's patriarch, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

Moris Motamed's political headquarters highlight the well-practiced survival skills of Iran's remaining 25,000 Jews — caught again in a political no man's land by the fighting between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Any public expression of sympathy for Israel would invite a sharp crackdown from authorities and hard-line Islamic groups.

"We are Iranians. We work for what's best for Iran. The fighting, fortunately, does not affect the Jewish community in Iran," said Motamed, who holds the single parliament seat reserved for Jews. Other seats are set aside for the Christian Armenian and Assyrian minorities and followers of Iran's pre-Islamic Zoroastrian faith.

more...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060730/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iran_s_jews

[BrklynLiberal]

1. Talk about being between a rock and hard place...

[lastknowngood]

2. It is extremal open minded for the Iranians to allow jewish legislator

can you imagine Israel allowing a Muslim or even a christian. Remember Israel is a Zionist state Jewish only.

[Onlooker]

3. What are you talking about?

Israel actually has a lot of Muslims in Parliament. They even have a mosque there. Plus, I think there are Arabs in other parts of the Israeli government. The liberals in Israel have had a lot of influence in the development of the state, but unfortunately, like here, they are currently on the outside.

[BrentWill4U]

5. I hate to break it to you....

But Israel has several Arab and Muslim parties. This one being the largest. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Arab_List

[INDIA]

6. Maybe you should just delete this post and save face.

It's completely incorrect.

[BrentWill4U]

7. Or just ignore the thread....

It will all go away...

[CJCRANE]

4. I always liked the sound of "Zoroastrian"..nt

[Karmakaze]

8. Kind of puts paid to the Israeli claim...

that the Muslims are all anti-semites though...

[BayCityProgressive]

9. I don't think

they have ever claimed they are ALL anti-semites. Also, how does this show they aren't anti-semitic? They are saying a whole nation of Jews should be wiped off the map. I really don't get people on this board.

[Karmakaze]

10. Ok lets walk through this slowly

First of all, YOU just said they were all anti-semites!

Secondly, working to get rid of Israel is anti-Israeli not anti-Semitic, especially when the government that is working to do it specifically sets aside a seat in their parliament for Jews!