Iraqi-Jewish Heritage

Conflicts between Iraq and Israel before and during World War II did not only affect the Jewish people who lived in Israel, but also effected Iraqi citizens who were Jewish. Iraq’s Anti-Semitic Legislation, created in 1933, gave the Jewish citizens a very tight leash during the beginning of the war and started to persecute them due to the conflicts between them and Israel. During the 1950’s, Iraqi secret police were ordered to raid homes in the Jewish communities, mostly in Baghdad, to search for any evidence of Zionist sentiments, which were artifacts supporting the development of Israel. In this specific case, we will look at personal items found in one home which had very little value,  but is now is the topic of Iraq’s ministry of Culture and Antiquities .

The items that are being so widely discussed consists of early Torah’s, children’s learning material, family photos and a few other personal belongings. The Iraqi Ministry of Culture and Antiquities had sent them to the United States to take care of them. They had made an agreement in 2003 that America would restore the artifacts and return them in 2005. The problem is that it is now 2012 and the artifacts are not back in the hands of Iraq. Liwaa Saisim, Iraqi Tourism and Archeology Minister has even gone as far as not letting archeological explorations continue by the United States in Iraq until the artifacts are back in Iraq.

So the question here is, why hasn’t the United States given back these pieces of Iraqi history? And another big question is why is Iraq so interested in repatriating these objects? The United States has been doing research on these items that will ultimately cost up to six million dollars, and they want to do the most that they can and complete their studies, although the U.S. acknowledges that Iraq has the right to make their claims. As for Iraq, they want the items back not for monetary value, but for the sake of informing their citizens. Saad Eskander, the director of the Iraq National Library of Archives, makes a great point when he says, “Iraqis must know that we are a diverse people, with different traditions, different religions, and we need to accept this diversity…To show it to our people that Baghdad was always multi-ethnic.”

Ultimately, I feel that that Iraq should have the artifacts back. Not only because there are legal documents that state the claim of the artifacts, but also for the sake of Iraqi people today. Saad Eskander’s statement applies to the way of living in Iraq today, because history still effects the present day and Iraqi people need to see that diversity was okay in their past and should be okay in their present day lives. It is possible to co-exist, but the public needs proof that it has happened, it can happen, and it will happen.

So you all know my stance on the issue, now what do you all think; Who do these artifacts belong to? Please respond in the comment box bellow!

-Rachel Armus

http://www.savingantiquities.org/contested-ownership-of-iraqi-jewish-heritage-causes-international-debate/