Re, ...in the 1940s and 1950s, the Israeli regime targeted Jews in Iraq to pressure them into emigrating to Israel.
Yes, the statement is accurate.In the late 1940s and early 1950s, the newly formed Israeli regime did engage in activities that pressured Jewish communities in Iraq to emigrate to Israel.This was part of a broader effort to increase the Jewish population in Israel, especially after the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.
Operation Ezra and Nehemiah:
In response to this situation, and with the goal of increasing the Jewish population in Israel, the Israeli government initiated Operation Ezra and Nehemiah, an airlift operation that brought over 120,000 Iraqi Jews to Israel between 1950 and 1952.
Pressure Tactics:
While some Iraqi Jews chose to emigrate due to the deteriorating conditions, there is evidence that the Israeli regime also employed tactics to encourage emigration, such as orchestrating bombings of Jewish institutions in Baghdad.These actions were designed to create a sense of fear and urgency, pushing more Jews to leave for Israel.
As a result of these efforts, the vast majority of Iraqi Jews emigrated to Israel and other countries, leaving behind a small, remaining community that dwindled over time.
Therefore, while the situation was complex, it is accurate to say that the Israeli regime did exert pressure on Iraqi Jews to emigrate during this period, motivated by both the desire to increase Israel's Jewish population.
