Acknowledging the Unseen: The Tragic Displacement of Jewish Refugees from Arab Countries on World Refugee Day
World Refugee Day is a significant occasion to acknowledge the diverse groups of people who have endured persecution and displacement throughout history. Among these groups are the Jewish refugees who were expelled from Arab countries in the mid-20th century. According to various estimates, over 850,000 Jews were forced to leave their homes in countries such as Iraq, Egypt, Yemen, and Libya, where they had lived for centuries, contributing substantially to the social, cultural, and economic life of their societies.
The scale of the expulsion was immense and often accompanied by severe violence and suffering. For instance, in Iraq, the Jewish population, which numbered around 135,000 in 1948, dwindled to fewer than 6,000 by 1951. This dramatic decrease was due to a combination of legal expulsions, forced emigration, and a series of violent pogroms, such as the Farhud in 1941, which resulted in the deaths of around 180 Jews and the injury of hundreds more.
In Egypt, approximately 75,000 Jews were living there in 1948. By 1957, following the Suez Crisis and the rise of nationalist policies under President Gamal Abdel Nasser, nearly the entire Jewish population had been expelled or had fled. Their properties, businesses, and assets were confiscated without compensation, leaving many destitute.
Yemen’s Jewish population, which stood at around 55,000 in 1948, faced similar fates. Operation Magic Carpet, a rescue mission that airlifted Jews to Israel between 1949 and 1950, saved many, but these individuals left behind all their possessions and received no restitution.
Libya, which had a Jewish community of about 38,000 in 1948, saw its Jewish population reduce to virtually zero by 1967. Following the Six-Day War, anti-Jewish riots erupted, resulting in deaths and the destruction of Jewish property. The Libyan government subsequently expelled the remaining Jews, seizing their assets.
These Jewish refugees did not receive the “right of return” to their ancestral homes, nor did they receive compensation for their losses. In stark contrast to the Palestinian refugees, whose plight has been internationally recognized, continually discussed, and grotesquely overhyped the Jewish refugees from Arab countries have largely been ignored. The Arab governments that expelled them did not provide restitution, and their stories remain largely unacknowledged in the broader narrative of Middle Eastern displacement.
Despite the adversities, many of these Jewish refugees managed to rebuild their lives in new countries. In Israel alone, more than 600,000 Jews from Arab countries arrived between 1948 and 1951, contributing significantly to the nascent state’s development. Others found new homes in the United States, Canada, and Europe, where they continued to contribute to their new societies.
Recognizing the suffering and contributions of Jewish refugees from Arab countries is essential for a comprehensive understanding of the Middle Eastern historical narrative and the global refugee experience. Their experiences highlight the complexities of forced migration and underscore the ongoing need for recognition, justice, and historical reconciliation. On World Refugee Day, it is crucial to honor all refugee experiences, including those of the Jewish communities who were displaced from Arab lands, and ensure their stories are remembered and acknowledged.