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>JN May 9, 2000, Vol. 8, No. 84
Hebrew 101 Online
By IsraelWire
Yearning to learn Hebrew, but don't have the time? Virtual Jerusalem has the solution with "Learn Hebrew" - the mini-site that will get you speaking Hebrew in no time. Learn idiomatic Hebrew that is spoken on the streets of Israel by real Israelis. Learn a new phrase every week or, if you're feeling very diligent, check out the extensive database of Hebrew phrases: http://www.VJLearnhebrew.com
Five of 13 Iranian Jews Have Confessed to Spy Charges
By Lisa Bryant (VOA-Cairo)
Two more Jews have confessed to spying for Israel in the southern Iranian city of Shiraz. Five of the 13 Jews on trial have confessed to spying. A defense attorney for the Jews told reporters that Ramin Farzam and Nasser Levi-Haim had admitted to spying for the Israeli intelligence service.
Defendant Levi-Haim also told reporters that he had been tricked by Israeli agents into spying. He said his confession had been made voluntarily, and without coercion from Iran's Revolutionary Court.
The other defendant, Farzam, confessed on state-run television that he had been paid to spy by the Israeli government. Farzam, who is a store clerk, said he was caught before being able to relay any information. Three other defendants, or their lawyers, have admitted to similar charges.
But a defense attorney for the Jews, Esmail Nasseri, said he doubts the validity of the confessions. Nasseri also said Iranian prosecutors have not produced any evidence - besides the confessions - to support the spying charges. Besides the 13 Jews, the Iranian government has also accused nine Muslims with participating in an alleged spy ring.
The accusations, along with the closed-door court proceedings, have sparked an outcry by international human-rights groups. Foreign governments have also voiced concerns about the trial. The Israeli government has denounced the spying allegations as baseless.
Critics also fear the Jews may be handed harsh sentences. Foreign diplomats warn that possible death sentences would undermine Iran's fledgling relations with the West.
The court denied a defense request to allow outside observers to attend the trial. But Iranian officials - including President Mohammed Khatami - have previously said the trial will be fair.
The proceedings have focused an unwelcome spotlight on Iran's estimated 30,000 Jews. Many have voiced fear and concern about the repercussions of the spy trial. They also say they find it hard to believe that those accused - who include store clerks, scholars and students - would be capable of spying for Israel.
Five Injured by Giant Wave
By IsraelWire
"Suddenly, my son was hit by a giant wave. A girl was thrown from my arms. We thought it was the end."
This was the description given by one of the passengers on Saturday who thought the day cruise would provide relaxation and entertainment. The entertainment vessel left a Jaffa port earlier in the day, not realizing the day would end as it did.
The giant wave struck the boat, injuring 11, including five children transported to a local hospital. They were all released several hours later.
Police who were attempting to rule out negligence as a contributing factor questioned Captain Avraham Magen, the operator of the vessel. The port supervisor called Magen "irresponsible" for taking the vessel out, despite warnings of choppy waters.
Magen stated the weather for sailing was ideal and if the dangers were as great as indicated by the port manager, why wasn't the port shut?
Tens of Torah Scrolls Saved from Saddam Hussein
By IsraelWire
Tens of Torah scrolls ordered burned by Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein were saved by agents of the Mossad. Some 50 Torah scrolls which were in a Baghdad storage facility were ordered destroyed by Hussein. Most were obtained from Iraqi Jews in the 1950s who were waiting to immigrate to Israel.
Mossad agents managed to save 30 scrolls by bribing Iraqi security personnel. One of the scrolls, written about 70 years ago, arrived recently in an Afula synagogue. Another scroll, 200 years old, is on display in New York City.
The amount paid to the Iraqi security forces by the Jordanian intermediaries remains a mystery but the daily Yediot Ahronot reports it may have been 30,000 pounds sterling for each scroll saved.
The saving of the scrolls was part of a larger operation intended to recover valuables belonging to the Iraqi Jewish community. Prior to the 1950s, Iraq boasted a Jewish community numbering about 130,000. Today 68 Jews remain.
Sources in Israel report that efforts are continuing to retrieve additional scrolls. They point out the location of the Torah scrolls is known.
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