This past Monday, 5 Nisan, an announcement signed by
maranan verabonon the gedolei Yisroel of our
times was circulated. It calls for everyone to beseech Hashem
to have mercy on the thirteen Iranian Jews whose trial is
scheduled for Thursday 8 Nisan, and for them it is certainly
an issue that is a matter of life or, Rachmono
litzlan, death. A central rally is to be held on
Wednesday afternoon in the middle of Bnei Brak in Bartenura
Square.
to the residents of Bnei Brak to assemble in Bartenura Square
in for a massive rally, in order to cry out to HaKodosh
Boruch Hu to have mercy
The letter states: "Our hearts ache over the terrible decree
which hovers over the 13 Iranian Jews, two of whom are in
danger of . . . Rachmono litzlan. Ki hishkif mimorom
kodsho, Hashem miShomayim al eretz hibit, lishmo'a enkas osir
lepesach bnei temusoh. The affliction of the 13 Iranian
Jews is the affliction of the entire community.
"As a result, we appeal to Jews everywhere to cry out to
Hashem to cancel the wicked decree, prior to the trial which
is scheduled for 8 Nisan, 5760. For this purpose, let us all
assemble on Wednesday, 7 Nisan at 4:30 in the afternoon, in
Bartenura Square in Bnei Brak, as one man with one heart, for
a central prayer rally, at which mincha, selichos and
Tehillim will be recited. Keil kabir will not
reject the prayer of the masses.
"May Hakodosh Boruch Hu answer us from Above regarding
the swift release of the prisoners, and rid us of all the
illnesses and suffering which have recently been visited upon
Beis Yisroel. May He accept our prayers with
mercy."
Signers included, Yosef Sholom Eliashiv, A. Y. L. Steinman,
Shmuel Halevi Wosner, Michel Yehuda Lefkowitz, S. Y. Nissim
Karelitz, Yitzchok Eizek Rosenbaum -- Admor of Zutschka,
Avrohom Landau -- Admor of Strikov, Shmuel Auerbach, Shimon
Baadani, Boruch Rosenberg, G. Edelstein, Shlomo Silberstein,
Yisroel Don Taub -- Admor of Modzhitz, Yitchok Shlomo Ungar,
Nosson Gestetner, Shlomo Machpoud, Menachem Mendel Hagar,
Machlouf Pachima.
The residents of the city were asked to come en masse
to this prayer rally, and to pray for rachmei
Shomayim for the Jews of Iran whose lives are in danger.
Women were asked to convene only on Hashlo Street. Men with
shofars were asked to assemble beside the amplifier
system.
Trial on Thursday in Shiraz
The judge of the Revolutionary Court in Shiraz has told a
French press agency that the trial of the 13 Iranian Jews who
are accused of undermining the security of Iran and of
espionage on behalf of the United States and Israel will open
on Thursday, April 13, 8 Nisan.
In relating to whether trial will be open or closed to
outside observers, Judge Norani said that the court will very
shortly state its decision on the issue in a written
announcement.
A spokesman on behalf of the court in Shiraz told a French
news agency reporter that the four lawyers were appointed by
the accused themselves and will defend eight of them. At
first the accused were supposed to use only lawyers appointed
by the court.
The 13 Jews, three of whom have been released on bail, were
arrested in Shiraz a year ago. Eight Moslems who were also
accused of the same crimes and were also arrested, but they
will be tried separately.
Judge Norani visited the prison to wish the prisoners a happy
Pesach. Three of the prisoners, Shachrok Paknahad, Asher
Zadmar and Nasar Levi Chaim, sent a letter to the judge
expressing their appreciation of his visit.
Former French Justice Minister and current member of the
French Senate Robert Bedinter and French Judge Dominique De
La Grandrei applied for a visa to go observe the trial of the
thirteen Jews accused of espionage. Their request was
ignored.
Observers said that the trial may be very short with the
verdict apparently determined by authorities not present in
the court room. There is no doubt that the Iranian government
is sensitive to world opinion on the matter, but there are
different and conflicting elements within the Iranian power
structure, and the outcome is far from certain.
