Iranian Jews have been keeping a low profile as demonstrators flood the streets in major cities to demand new elections following charges of officially sanctioned election fraud. Citing security concerns, Teheran's Jewish community decided to cancel social events and educational programs, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency reported.
A source in the Iranian capital told a JTA reporter that the Jews are not taking part in the demonstrations, and therefore they have not been targeted by security forces. No Jews have been harmed and Jewish institutions have not been damaged. "Only those who actually participate in marches in support of opposition leader Mousavi have any problems," said the unidentified source.
The leadership of Iran's Jewish community and their Jewish representative on the Majlis have a longstanding tradition of sending congratulations to the winner of the presidential elections, but so far they have not done so.
Experts say that most of Iran's Jews (estimated at 25,000) voted for Ahmadinejad as the "lesser of two evils" because his decrees are already known — despite the knowledge he is an outspoken Holocaust denier who has repeatedly called for Israel to be wiped off the map. The Jews also have concerns over the economic-social reform proposed by Mir Hussein Mousavi, which could threaten their well-established economic standing.
Gidon Kotz, a reporter for the Israel Broadcasting Authority, recently returned from a visit to Iran, where he met with members of the Jewish community and even spoke with them in Hebrew about the political situation there. Some of those interviewed did not hesitate to speak out against the Ahmadinejad regime and voice support for Mousavi. Kotz said many of the Jews support the reformist candidate, but elderly members of the community voted for the incumbent, who increased old-age benefits.
