July 17, 2008 | 9:53 am

Kuntar’s release reveals true evil of Iran’s regime

Israel is in mourning today after yesterday’s exchange of the bodies of two Israeli soldiers, Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev for notorious PLO terrorist Samir Kuntar, four other terrorists and the bodies of 199 Hezbollah fighters who had died during the 2006 war with Israel. The deal was brokered by a U.N. mediator between Israel and the Iranian-backed Shiite Islamic Terrorist group Hezbollah based in Southern Lebanon. Kuntar is one of four militants who in April of 1979 came to Israel’s northern shore and murdered an Israel man and his two-year old daughter-- for this crime he was sentenced to prisoner for four life-terms and was the longest-serving Arab prisoner in Israel.

Kuntar’s unmerciful crimes and the decision to exchange him in this deal has no doubt been especially heart-wrenching for Israel because of the high price paid to for these soldiers bodies. Yet the larger crime in this exchange was perpetrated by Iran’s proxy Hezbollah and the demonic monsters running the current Iranian regime. Since the 2006 war, Hezbollah’s leader Hassan Nasrallah has been playing a sick and twisted game of psychological torture with the Israeli public by threatening to kill the Goldwasser and Regev (who we now know were dead) if his murderous thugs were we not released from Israeli prisons. Nasrallah knows very well that we as Jews value life and will go to great lengths to secure a prisoners release as well as give our dead a proper burial-- and he played that card very well in this instance. Only a cruel and truly evil individual with a depraved heart would toy with people’s human emotions to advance a political agenda.

Iran’s government and Hezbollah follow a radical fundamentalist form of Shiite Islam that does not value life, encourages martyrdom and uses civilians as mere pawns to advance their vile objectives of trying to get the rest of the free world to follow their backward beliefs as well as repressive ways of life. They do not care how many lives are destroyed or the amount of chaos they unleash upon the world…just as long as it advances their power and religious goals. This radical form of Shiite Islam is very simple—“follow our way of life or die” and this message is clearly set forth in the Iranian government’s constitution whose objective it is to spread their wick religious beliefs worldwide by means of jihad and war. And for those who don’t believe Hezbollah and Iran are linked, think again! Since Hezbollah was founded by Iran’s clerical leaders and is fully funded by the Iranian government, the terrorist group is part and parcel of the government.

Now my question to Senator Barack Obama and other liked minded politicians is, how on earth can you even sit down and negotiate with these wicked monsters who have no sense of humanity? How do you expect such animals to keep their word? If these dangerous individuals do not understand the basic logic of humanity but only care about bringing the arrival of their “messiah” through a nuclear holocaust, what do you plan on gaining through talks with them? And lastly, what do you plan on negotiating about with these immoral creatures who only want to destroy America, Israel and the free world? What would such U.S. officials say;…”excuse me Ayatollah XYZ, could you guys stop enriching Uranium for nuclear weapons if we give you some economic incentives?” Or would they say; “uhmmm, Mr. Ayatollah ABC, would you please stop funding Shiite militias and terrorists who are killing American troops in Iraq?” HOW UTTERLY RIDICULOUS! Negotiations, reason and logic just don’t register with the demonic Iranian government leaders. If you don’t believe me, just ask any Iranian Jew or other Iranian religious minority that escaped the hands of these Iranian clerics and now live in the U.S. These Iranian minority ex-pats will truly shed light on the deep rooted evil of Iran’s regime and the heinous crimes against humanity they have committed against on their own population which is a Muslim majority. Right now Iran is among the largest importers of construction cranes in the world… the cranes are not used by the regime for construction but to hang in public those individuals who do not obey their ridiculous law and accept their brutal rule!

If this is how they treat their own people, god knows what they would have in mind for outsiders! Perhaps the best solution to dealing with the Iranian regime is to clamp down hard on them economically. The life line that is keeping Iran’s leaders in power is their income from oil that is exported and foreign investment in their countries. The international community must unite and impose back breaking sanctions on Iran to the point where their already weakened economy collapses. Since Iran does not refine it’s own oil, perhaps the gulf states who do handle it’s oil refining can stop doing so...all of these actions would no doubt bring the country to a standstill and lead average Iranians who are already opposed to the regime to overthrow it.

By the way, for those who do not know the story of Kuntar’s heinous crimes....he and three other PLO militants made their way in a rubber dinghy from Lebanon to Israel’s northern shore around midnight on April 22, 1979. In a hail of gunfire and exploding grenades, they charged into an apartment building in the coastal city of Nahariya, 5 miles from the Lebanese border, where the Haran family lived. Smadar Haran sought refuge with her 2-year-old daughter, Yael, and a neighbor in a crawl space. Her 28-year-old husband, Danny, grabbed their 4-year-old daughter Einat, hoping to dash outside to an underground bomb shelter, when the attackers burst into their apartment. Father and daughter were herded down to the beach, where their assailants hoped to pack them into the rubber boat and take them as hostages to Lebanon, according to a recently declassified transcript of Kantar’s testimony at his trial, published this week by Israel’s Yediot Ahronot newspaper. But the dinghy had been punctured by gunfire, so the attackers went on a bloody rampage instead. The Israeli court found that Kantar shot Danny Haran in front of his child, then killed her, too. “Kantar went over to Einat Haran and hit her head twice with the butt of his rifle crushing her skull, with the intent of killing her,” read a report from Kantar’s trial.

And now Senator Obama wants to go negotiate with these same depraved monsters heading Iran’s regime that celebrate the release of the baby killer Kuntar! Thank you Senator, now I can sleep better tonight knowing that this is how you intend on protecting America from these same ruthless animals in Iran’s regime who are seeking to destroy us.

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Tags: hezbollah, iran, iranian jews, obama, persian jews, samir kuntar

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July 13, 2008 | 11:41 pm

Podcast: Anderson proposes new Iran divestment bill in CA Assembly

I recently attended a press conference for Southern California’s Persian language media at UCLA’s Covel Commons held by freshman California State Assembly member Joel Anderson (R-El Cajon) regarding a new Iran divestment bill, also known as ACR 79. The bill symbolically calls on the University of California Regents to divest nearly $2 billion in employee pension funds invested in companies doing business in Iran.

Listen to our exclusive podcast interview with Anderson regarding his new bill ACR 79, here

Last October California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law, AB 221 legislation Anderson had drafted requiring state pension funds to divest roughly $200 million from companies working with Iran’s regime. Anderson said he has spearheaded Iran divestment legislation because of his concern for Israel and America’s security amidst Iran’s growing ambitions to obtain nuclear weapons. From my interview with Anderson, I walked aways with the feeling that he is perhaps one of the few lawmakers in this country that really understands how the U.S. and the free world can bring down the radical Islamic fundamentalist regime in Iran-- and that is through economic pressure. As a result of poor economic policies and good old fashioned corruption by the ayatollahs running Iran, the regime is tittering on the verge of economic collapse with double digit unemployment and inflation as well as high food costs. The only two things keeping the regime afloat are the billions in petro-dollars from their sale of crude oil and foreign investments in the country from multi-national corporations. Wisely, Anderson has gone for the Achilles’ heal of the Iranian government by targeting companies that are invested in Iran and calling on public and private entities to divest from these businesses working with the regime. Already the state of California has divested $200 million of its pension funds that were indirectly supporting the regime and nearly 20 other states have done the same. No doubt these millions over time add up to billions and can really hinder the Iranian regime’s ability to stay alive.

My hope is that the University of California Regents will also get this very vital message of how to topple the regime in Iran by divesting their pension funds! Any person in their right mind that does not want to see the Middle East plunged into a war by Iran’s government obtaining nuclear weapons will support this ACR 79 and other similar Iran divestment bills. I think we as Californians need to contact the UC Regents and urge them to divest their employee pension funds from companies working with Iran. The Regents contact information can be found at here. In my opinion, Anderson is one of the many true friends Israel has in the California Assembly because he realizes the real threat that the Iranian government possess to Israel and the need to bring down the regime in Tehran through economic means. He also a true friend to those Iranian Americans who oppose the current regime in Iran and want greater human rights for their countrymen living there.

Right now there is plenty of talk of military strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites and I am not one to support or oppose this option...but I do sincerely believe that cutting off the regime’s lifeline of funds is key to effectively toppling the Iranian government. Once their economy collapses, the majority of Iranians who already oppose the brutality of their government, will also rise up against their leadership and hopefully destroy the regime. If enough states in America, the U.S. Federal government and countries in Europe turn off the spigot of funds going into Iran--there is no doubt that it will squeeze that regime which is already hurting. Divestment has worked in the past with countries such as Libya and South Africa, there’s no reason for it not to work with Iran today.

Those interested in supporting Anderson and his bill ACR 79, can visit his website here

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Tags: acr 79, iran divestment bill, iranian jews, iranian jews podcast, joel anderson, karmel melamed, persian jews

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July 8, 2008 | 6:24 pm

Podcast: Magbit’s Young Leadership making waves for education in Israel

More than 300 Southern California young professional Iranian Jews packed an old restaurant temporary transformed into a comedy club near Downtown L.A. on June 28th for the Magbit Young Leadership’s fundraiser for the Magbit organization’s Jewish scholarships and interest-free loans. The event, dubbed as “Jokefest”, headlined a number of emerging comedians including popular Iranian Muslim comedian Maz Jobrani.

Listen to our latest podcast featuring Magbit’s Young Leadership members here

Magbit was formed in 1990 by several affluent Iranian Jews in Southern California and has offered millions of dollars in interest-free loans and scholarships to nearly 9,000 financially struggling students in Israel and the U.S. It simply amazes me that after three decades Iranian Jewish immigrants to the U.S. who fled Iran with little or none of their past fortunes in Iran, are now successful enough to support Israel through this organization! In a time when Israel is in the forefront of technological advancements...what better gift than to promote education through interest-free loans to Jewish students in Israel. The young Iranian Jews of this group are obviously carrying on the torch of Zionism through their work with this group.

On a more interesting note...as journalist who covers the local Iranian Jewry, I’ve come to discover that the many Magbit events also serve as gathering points for Iranian Jews in their 20’s and 30’s to meet one another and often find their future spouses. For all of you American Jews who are looking to snag yourself a handsome Iranian Jewish groom or Iranian Jewish bride...I have no doubt Magbit’s members will be more than willing to welcome you to their shindigs as well!  I’ve had a chance to attend a few of Magbit’s annual gala events at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills which have always been a big broo-ha-ha and attracted a number of young professionals trying to find potential matches. In the end, what better way to spend your time that to support Israel and also mingle with other young Jewish singles. Below are some sights I captured from Magbit’s Jokefest…

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Tags: iranian jews, iranian jews podcast, karmel melamed, magbit foundation, persian jews

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July 6, 2008 | 11:39 pm

Podcast: Iranian Jews on Obama and McCain

More than 300 young professionals members of the local Iranian Jewish “30 Years After” organization gathered at a private residence in Beverly Hills to encourage political activism in the community on June 25th. Our blog’s podcast caught up with a number of young professionals at the event who shed light on how Southern California’s Iranian Jews will most likely be voting in the 2008 presidential race.

Listen to our latest podcast about Iranian Jews and the 2008 election here

Iran is indeed an issue during the election this year and it is particularly important for local Iranian Jews because the majority of them have suffered at the hands of Iran’s regime during or after the 1979 revolution. Obama’s calls to negotiate with Iran’s current regime does not sit well with older Iranian American Jews because many had their assests confiscated by the regime or were terrorized by the regime. So they do not want to see the Iranian Ayatollahs rewarded by any American administration’s welcoming gestures that will legitimize their rule in Iran. Some of Obama’s foreign policy advisers are also former Carter administration advisers who older Iranian Jews and other Iranian Americans blame for helping to bring the current Islamic fundamentalist regime to power in Iran nearly 30 years ago. My article published in the Jewish Journal regarding Iranian Jews views of Obama and McCain can be found here.

Emotions were running high and excitement was in the air among Iranian American Jews in their 20’s and 30’s at the event who expressed a desire to outreach to elected officials in order to get issues important to them addressed. “The tremendous turnout at this event shows that something special is brewing in the Iranian American Jewish community,” said Jonathan Yagoubzadeh, a 30 Years After co-founder. “Whether it’s protecting Israel, improving the economy or solving the energy crisis, Iranian Jews now realize that the decisions our leaders make have a lasting impact on our community and our country”. From my own perspective as a journalist covering the local Iranian Jewish community, I felt the gathering was unique because you don’t typically see such a large turn out of Iranian Jews to a politically-related event...to the contrary, most young Iranian Jews in the L.A. area attend different fundraisers for Jewish or Israel causes in order to meet potential spouses or to network for business purposes. One could say “30 Years After” has created a lot of buzz in the Iranian Jewish community, hopefully they will receive the financial and moral backing of other Iranian Jewish groups who are often uncooperative with one another.

The event’s keynote speaker, L.A. County Sheriff Leroy Baca encouraged young Iranian Jews to volunteer as goodwill ambassadors for the Sheriff’s department. “I am really impressed and inspired by the young members of the Iranian Jewish community’s desire to becoming more involved in Los Angeles as a whole, “ said Baca. Other community leaders on hand included L.A. DWP General Manager H. David Nahai, California Assembly member Mike Feuer, former Assembly member Paul Koretz and Beverly Hills City Councilmember Jimmy Delshad. Below are some images I captured from the gathering…

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Tags: 2008 elections, 30 years after, iranian jews, karmel melamed, mccain, obama, persian jews

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June 19, 2008 | 7:47 pm

Photo Essay: Behind the scenes with Elias Eshaghian

For me, often times reporting on the local Iranian American Jewish community is an uphill battle and a somewhat painful experience similar to receiving a root canal procedure. Yet every once in a while I come across a special story or individual in the community which makes the hardships of covering this beat seem very minor. Such has been the case since I first met and interviewed Mr. Elias Eshaghian. I had the rare honor of interviewing him for this blog last year which can be found here and I will get into the remarkable gifts of education this man has given Iranian Jewry during the 20th century. More importantly reflecting on Eshaghian’s personality and way of life-- which many younger individuals in our community may not be aware of-- is noteworthy to me.

Ever since I began reporting on Southern California’s Iranian Jewish community, I have probably met less than a handful of individuals in this community over the age of 70 who were friendly and welcoming to me. Mr. Elias Eshaghian is one of those very special individuals who not only understood my journalistic objectives in covering the Iranian Jews but more importantly did not bad-mouth my efforts in doing so like many other leaders from the community. As our friendship has grown over the past year, I have this man to be gentle, kind hearted, unselfish in his dedication to serving the community and open to helping the younger generation of Iranian Jews. Perhaps its his background as a professor that enables him to more easily relate to and support younger people. He does not seek the limelight nor does he flash his wealth unlike many of his counterparts and other middle-aged Iranian American Jewish leaders today. Unfortunately there are some leaders in the community today who are either self-appointed, believe themselves to be “god’s gift to humanity”, or not interested in helping the community but only care for the label of “leader” as a status symbol rather than to actually accomplish anything. It should be noted that during his tenure as chairman of the Iranian American Jewish Federation (IAJF), Eshaghian was humble and always trying to bring together different factions or individuals within the community who were constantly fighting with one another. I am certainly not amazed that he’s been able to fight lung cancer for the past 20 years as Eshaghian has an indominable spirit. My wish today is that our community’s rabbis or leaders would learn from Eshaghian and carry on his ways of embracing Iranian Jewish youth as well as treating others with respect. Sadly not very many individual leaders in the local Iranian Jewish community have taken substantial actions to help resolve pressing issues community members are currently grappling with.

Although his health has been failing in recent months, he was nevertheless blessed on Monday 20th to see the local Iranian Jewish community finally show their appreciation and respect to him after his decades of service to them. The event was for the launching of his new book but in my opinion it was also a special tribute to a man did not have substantial wealth in Iran or America, but one person who helped transform the lives of thousands of Iran’s Jews by encouraging them to seeking our higher education. He brought his knowledge and hope for a better life to an entire generation of Jews in Iran who lived in undeveloped villages and poverty-stricken ghettos. In essence he was one of many who gave Iranian Jewry the key to pull themselves up by the bootstraps and they did so. For that accomplishment he deserves high praise as Iranian Jewry has become quite successful by in large in America. Below are some of my snapshots from that special evening.

My piece this week in the Jewish Journal also sheds light on Eshaghian accomplishments on behalf of Iranian Jewry and the launching of his new Persian language memoirs “A Follower of Culture”.

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Tags: elias eshaghian, iranian jews, persian jews

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June 10, 2008 | 8:40 pm

Podcast: Young Iranian American Jews show support for U.S. troops

From my experience as a journalist covering the Iranian Jewish community in Southern California all of these years, the community is very patriotic but has never really participated in any events that would display their love of America. This past Memorial Day was a change in direction for the community with hundreds of young Iranian Jewish volunteers gathering at the Nessah Synagogue in Beverly Hills to prepare hundreds of care packages bound for U.S. troops based in Afghanistan and Iraq. This historic event was indeed heartwarming for me to witness as it reflects Iranian American Jews true appreciation for the freedoms we enjoy in this great nation. We honor America’s Armed Forces on Memorial Day and give thanks to this nation for welcoming us more than 30 years ago after we were forced into exile from Iran by that country’s regime of violent radical Islamic clerics.

Our blog’s podcast that can be hear here had the opportunity to chat with Nessah Israel’s Young Professionals who helped organize this incredible event. The following are just a few of the photos capturing the essence of the care package preparation activities:

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Tags: care packages for u.s. troops, iranian jews, memorial day event, nessah synagogue, persian jews

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May 19, 2008 | 1:58 pm

Photo essay: Iranian Jews celebrate Israel’s 60th in Los Angeles

Yesterday I had the rare pleasure of attending one of Israel’s 60th independence day celebrations here in Los Angeles at Woodley Park which attracted thousands of local Jews-- including Iranian Jews. The event was packed with Israeli music, food, carnival type rides, booths with different organization’s displaying their information and keynote speakers. Most notably California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was present to congratulate Israel and her supporters at the event.

Aside from the extreme heat, I was delighted to see such a large turnout of local support for Israel but not surprised to see so many Iranian Jews. Southern California’s Iranian Jews have always held a special place in their hearts for Israel because of the trauma of the 1979 Iranian Revolution they have endured. Israel gives them hope and a sense of pride that that have their own homeland to give them protection should any entity try to bring harm upon them.

The following are some snap shots I took of local Iranian Jews and other Jews enjoying the jubilation of the Israel 60th independence day.

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Tags: iranian jews, israel, israel independence day, persian jews

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