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5.0 out of 5 stars
A true story of the Jews of Iraq, August 5, 2007
This review is from: Flight from Babylon: Iraq, Iran, Israel, America (Hardcover)
In this phenomenal book, Heskel Haddad writes of his childhood and youth as a Jewish child growing up in Iraq in the 1930s and 40s, a country where Nazi influence was making life for the Jewish community more and more difficult.
A child passionate about Iraq, Haddad's world is shattered when as a boy of 9, carrying his baby sister, he is attacked by an Arab mob, thirsty for Jewish blood.
At age 11, during the Nazi-inspired pogrom against Jews in Iraq, known as the Farhud, Heskel's best friend and cousin was brutally murdered by Arab pogromchiks leaving Heskel to vow to avenge his blood.
Heskel joined the Jewish underground and became an active Zionist, ferevently following events as they unfolded in the Holy Land, where the Jews struggled to regain a foothold in their ancient homeland, under murderous arab attack.
Furthermore Heskel was following events from a country, where the society and media where hysterically anti-Zionist and anti-Jewish.
Something of the hatred nascent in Arab society for Jews and Israel is preserved in these pages, and we read of how as the conflict developed in the Holy Land, life became more dangerous for Iraq's Jews.
Jews were forbidden to carry or own anything with a Star of David emblem, or they would be guilty of the capital offence of Zionism.
In Nazi Europe they had been forced to wear a star, here they were forbidden from possessing one, on pain of death, a diffrent rule but the same spirit.
Heskel became a medical student at fifteen, and qualified as a doctor, before being forced to flee Iraq, after an unnamed informer made his exitance there perilous.
He then began a new struggle, socially and professionally to adapt to life in the struggling, infant State of Israel.
The author brings life in Iraq, Iran and Israel to vivid colour, as the sights, sounds and smells of the Middle East of the time, comes to life from these pages.
It is a very skilfully woven tapestry of the story of the Jews of the Middle East, of their flight to the reborn State of Israel, and their role within building up the reborn Jewish home.
We learn of how Iraq disposessed all of that country's Jews and forced them to leave, hoping that the entry of hundreds of thousands of destitute refugees would destroy Israel financially and socially.
The refugees were all absorbed by Israel.
And Israel's vicious and loathsome critics have the gall to accuse her of 'disposessing' the Arabs.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
An Iraqis Journey to Jerusalem., February 7, 2009
This review is from: Flight from Babylon: Iraq, Iran, Israel, America (Hardcover)
This is a terrific read and very relevant to 2009 world history especially Jewish History.
This biography provides insight in the History of Persian (Iraqi) Jews. It describes Dr. Heskel escape from Iraq, his ability to make lemonade from lemons, and how he becomes an accomplished physician. His story is amazing, it keeps your attention, and has genuine warmth and passion. It describes Jewish Iraq in the 30's - 40's, Zionism,Jews,and Israel. The Jewish diversity of Israelis, European, Asian, African, American, and Sabras. Dr. Haddad exemplifies a personal and universal success story. We witness his growth determination, discipline, and humanity from child to scholar to activist to professional. The message is clearly stated, Jews have a unique history, a commonality that we share whatever birth nation. We see history repeating itself and how the Jewish world changes yet remains the same.
This is a terrific addition to your library.
If you enjoy Jewish History this is a must read.
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