Minister for the Middle East, Dr Andrew Murrison MP, has recognised the plight of the Jewish community in North Africa and the Middle East, in response to a Parliamentary Written Question asked by Zac Goldsmith MP on the subject.
The MP for Richmond Park asked what discussions the Foreign Secretary has had with his Israeli counterpart on “recognition of the plight of Jewish refugees from the Middle East and North Africa”.
Dr Murrison said in his response that while discussions have not taken place, “the history of Jewish migration and displacement in the region is highly complex and cannot be ignored”.
He underlined: “We acknowledge that the Jewish community has experienced unacceptable suffering”. Dr Murrison added: “We continue to support the aspiration for a Jewish homeland in the modern state of Israel, just as we support the objective of a viable and sovereign Palestinian state”.
He said: “A peaceful future for the Middle East depends on a peace agreement that offers fair restitution for both sides, and a willingness on the part of all countries in the region to respect the rights of minorities and build inclusive societies which enshrine and uphold those rights”.
While the British Government have not formally recognised the historic plight of Jewish refugees in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), positive steps have been taken concerning the issue. On the 19th of June the first debate about the plight of Jewish refugees took place, led by CFI Vice-Chairman Rt. Hon. Theresa Villiers.
The MP for Chipping Barnet recognised the “near total extinction of an ancient civilisation” after several pogroms and violent attacks took place against Jews across the Middle East and North Africa between 1948 and 1972.
The results of these actions were the Jewish population outside of Israel in the region fell from 856,000 in 1945 to just 4,500 currently. Both Algeria and Iraq had over 130,000 Jews each 50 years ago, and now there are none in either nation. Moreover, Jews fled in their tens of thousands from Egypt, Morocco, Yemen, Lebanon, Syria and Iran after years of discriminatory legislation and actions left the climate too dangerous for Jews to feel safe remaining within their nations of citizenship.
