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VOLUME 6: 1979-1980
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10. Statement by the Government of Israel on the execution of Habib Elkanian in Iran, 9 May 1979.
Since the advent of the Khomeini regime in Iran, the position of the Jewish community of that country had become highly precarious. Those Iranian Jews who remained in Iran were subjected to constant harrassment and many were arrested and tortured on trumpedup charges. The property of Jews was confiscated. In April, word reached Israel that Habib Elkanian, one of the leaders of the Iranian Jewish community, was summarily executed after a mock trial on charges of having had contacts with Israel. Following is the government's statement:
The Government of Israel expresses deep shock at the execution of Habib Elkanian, of blessed memory, the former leader of the Jewish community in Iran. Habib Elkanian was executed under charges which included, according to an announcement by Radio Teheran: "Treason by maintaining a connection with Israel and Zionism."
There has never been a conflict of interest between the State of Israel and Iran, irrespective of the regime in various periods.
Every Jew by nature carries in his heart a love for Zion and a natural inclination for the land of Israel as an inseparable part of Jewish tradition and religion. The connection between the Jews of Iran and the nation in Zion is anchored in the Persian and Jewish tradition as one.
Accusing Jews of treason for maintaining a connection with Israel and Zionism is like accusing a Jew of being Jewish. The State of Israel condemns this spilling of blood and turns to every state which supports the existence of human rights to condemn this act as a serious violation of human rights, and to act for the cessation of actions of this kind.
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