Jews have been in Iran (Persia) since 586 BC

Karmel Melamed was born in 1978, in Tehran, Iran. However, due to growing violence and uncertainty under the rule of Ayatollah Khomeini, Karmel and his family fled Iran in 1980. Now a journalist, Karmel remains committed to making known the Iranian regime’s human rights abuses which continue to this day, and is an outspoken advocate for the Mizrahi Jewish community. Hear about his family’s powerful story in this film by The Mizrahi Project, presented by CUFI.
www.themizrahiproject.org

[@irannetwork7467]

I am Iranian from Iran. My parents tell me of the days when Persian Jews walked the streets of Tehran. We miss you and we miss our shah. Our lives are miserable. Please forgive us for getting rid of the shah we were tricked by England.

[@Mokh7777]

Iran Network Tehran still has jews and synagogues as well. Just the regime sucks for all Iranians.

[@pam7349]

💟💟

[@birgittavanblitterswijk6998]

You were not tricked by England, but unfortunately by fellow Iranians.

[@ms9771]

That is not true, MI6, CIA , Overthrew Iran's Democracy leader Mossadagh when he nationalized the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, canceling its oil concession also send their puppt shah, , Iran are only country in Middle east for thousand years, let the jew , muslim, Christian live as equal citizen from time Persian Empier, Cyrus the great, as Bible call him savoir of the Jews, when Persian Empier fight against Slavery, after victory, free slave among them Jew, and those Jew had freedom move to Jerusalem, but some stay in Iran and those Jew still are there in peace like their ancestor, but hose spy who, back stab iran , are zionist not Iranian

[@ms9771]

@@Mokh7777 They are great , also, have support of Iranian, from America god bless Iranian,

[@theoneandonlyhere]

We are Iranian Jews and we have a great life in Iran right now. I visit our synagogue here in Tehran every week. Never had a problem

[@ms9771]

God bless you, as you are real jews also respect Mosess as he asked by 10 commandments “Thou shalt not kill.” or steal , as zionist European do also buy sham for the Jew,

[@lenini056]

I though the Iranian government murdered you all since they hate Jews?

[@theoneandonlyhere]

@@lenini056 First of all, without Persia (Iran) there was no Israel. Read your bible. Secondly, in Iran there are more than 100 synagogues: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_synagogues_in_Iran None of the countries in that region and even NOT in Europe they've that. So, ask yourself do you still love to watch Fox News, Saudi TV or Viva Mexico TV?

[@lenini056]

@@theoneandonlyhere I take it back after being educated and I'm sorry. The situation here in the US is really awful since my government wants your country destroyed while they've been subjecting us ordinary Americans into a nightmarish life. We are sick of the government! I'm also angry as the Israeli government too since they too want Iran gone while committing ethnic cleansing and genocide on the Palestinians. It's too much! I hope that we don't go to war! I wanna go to Iran as an American tourist, NOT A SOLDIER!!! :'(

[@muhammadfaizul5506]

@@lenini056 thanks for your warm heart comment. My love goes to palestine. We malaysian ban israelian pasport but not jew from other country. Why? Israel do aggression and they will never admit their false.

[@irannetwork7467]

Long live the Persians Jews from Iran. We will one day be united again when the regime falls ❤️❤️

[@everydayrubbish8962]

Iran is best Arab country

[@mahatmadutcheastcompany6726]

@@everydayrubbish8962 its not arab

[@SiyavoshM]

@everday rubbish There are also Arabs who live in Iran but majority of Iranians are non-Arab. Government leadership though is mainly in the hands of Arab descendants (the mullahs who wear black turban)

[@Mokh7777]

Iranians consider their Jews as native Iranians. That’s the big difference between Iran and other countries who have jews. Iran belongs just as much to Iranian jews as it does to other Iranians. Unfortunately this mullah regime is not Iranian but occupiers of Iran. Also Iran has always been the name of the country, it’s incorrect to call it the “area known as Iran today”. It is an ancient name from ancient Avesta.

[@JewelRocks123]

Iranian Jews have been in Iran even before the Zoroastrians.

[@shounakbanerjee8904]

Lol no

[@bidarvandi]

@@shounakbanerjee8904 yes akad and samerin tribe in iraq are semite and semite related language have been spoken and written according to history books so they were not far away from medes oe iranian southern thats why they look like iranian

[@xshandy5812]

Zoroastrian is the oldest Religion go learn history

[@Lagolop]

@@shounakbanerjee8904 LOL yes

[@omidmorrovat6051]

Iran today has the highest Jewish population in middle east after Israel Jews have their own members of parliament. Total number of Iranian Jews are over 30 thousand strong! We love the Jewish people and have no problem with them in Iran

[@user-yi4mt4hp8u]

yeah they have special protections since they've contributed a lot through Persian history other religious minorities like christians are not so fortunate, and women are treated like shit

[@omidmorrovat6051]

@@user-yi4mt4hp8u Really?? Tell me how are Christians treated in Iran?? Women are treated like shit?? According to whom? You? Over 24 million women in Iran have university PhD and masters Iran has women in politics, military, healthcare and more... We are talking about Iran not saudi Arabia, Go learn a bit more and speak out of your mouth and not your behind

[@Israelball]

Well actually a Persian Jew who built Iran’s first skyscraper was killed, my family had a very successful insurance company and had to flee.

[@Lagolop]

ALL Jews need to get the sellout of that shithole before it is too late!

[@LifeofPani]

This breaks my heart as an Iranian, and it infuriates me. Nobody can blame us for Hating these Monster Mullahs as passionately as we do. Freedom for all Iranian people so that we all can return to our Motherland!!!

[@TheMirab]

So very sorry, I hope we all get back. I too miss it so much.

[@everydayrubbish8962]

Iran is best Arab country

[@oliverhakim414]

Very nice video azizam, manam yahoodi’e Iran hastam va pedar madaram ghabl az enghelab az Iran raftan. Akhe i have to disagree with you on 2 points that you mentioned. From my experience I feel that a great deal of Iranian jews do feel like a victim in a way. For example, growing up I’ve been taught to be afraid of Muslims, Arabs, and antisemitism. Most of my friends happen to be Iranian Muslim and still I was told they will “stab me in the back” even Iranian Muslims and they hate Jews and etc. I have never experienced antisemitism before nor any racist behavior by any Muslim for being Jewish and I’ve even stepped in a mosque and spoken with an Iranian Shia cleric. Yet I’m still told to have only if not majority jewish friends. My grandma even tells me “gooyima pedarsookhte an”. Which means “non-Jews are assholes”. 2nd point is you said Iranian Jews don’t dwell on the past, I have to disagree with this as well. While that may be true in some areas of the community I’ve felt that the community is in a way, such as the previous example I mentioned above, but also expecting for the Shah to come back and restore the monarchy. They not only say this but also show this especially through their use of the “Shir Khorshid” flag in almost all occasions, such as fundraisers, talent shows, charities, etc. While I do admire the beauty of the “Shir Khorshid” flag, the Soroode Shahanshahi, and the great nation Iran once was under the Shah, I nor anyone else should dwell on it and expect to move forward. The idea of the monarchy being restored is unrealistic. I would love to see Iran become a secular state and observe human rights but we have to look forward and think realistically.

[@birgittavanblitterswijk6998]

I know many Iranian Jews who will tell sort of the same story like Karmel Melamed about the last period of their lives in Iran.

[@mahfai6355]

Azizam man Iranie Khali hastam not following any religion, I wish you the best but I think you're telling the story from a point which the whole scene can't be seen.first of all I think some people in Jewish communitis tend to be inclosed and separated not because they afraid of being offended but because there is tiny tini feeling of supremacy in their hearts (and I'd experienced that stronger from outsider Jews) the same goes with Tabrizi people if you know what I'm saying, regarding to that I suppose you can imagine what you can expect from non Jews. secondly you're talking about the time when Iran was a traditional Shia dominant country which people were not comfortable with anything that stepped on their beliefs and against it ,even if you were a Muslim wasn't aligned to the rules they would treat you very unfriendly. situation has changed way different. you Azizam made it sound like there was innate animosity towards Jews in Iran. thirdly khodet kheili khub miduni that there was a rivalry between sones of Abraham from the very beginning and Cousin Muhammad had passed it through the next generation culturally and I think Jews did the same thing and all both cousins were busy with was to declare their supremacy over the other . Va bazam miduni ke in the state of Israel the same story is happening against Muslims and this brainwashing spikes during the compulsory military service and I heard many stories of such from young Jews on trips who just finished it. So I think maybe it's the time for us to stop contesting on worst victim status and be FRIENDS and fight for our country. unless you're are waiting for others to take it back and you settle then. one thing that I hate from my outsider fellow is that Iran is not related to them unless it offer them money and fortune otherwise they become American German Canadian Isrealies and proud of their newbrand nationality. Take care be omid roozi ke tu khiabun Enghelab Jack Daniel kheirat konim baraye mullahs collapse.

[@Lagolop]

And Jews in Isreal are FEARLESS. The way it should be.

[@Mokh7777]

What does he mean “the area known as Iran today”? Iran has always been the ancient name of Iran which goes back to ancient Avesta! And yes Iran has had jews for thousands of years, which is why Iran is the only country that considers their Jews as natives also.

[@maryberdjis4223]

the ancient name of Iran was Persia. Iran was the name chosen by the Pahlavi dynasty in the 20th Century

[@Mokh7777]

Mary Berdjis dumbest comment. Did you not read what I wrote? Persia was an exonym, Iran was the name Iranians always called their own country. Reza Pahlavi just told the west to call the country by the name Iranians call it themselves. Do you understand what an exonym is?

[@Mokh7777]

je&moi-meme * hows that criticism?! It’s a matter of fact.

[@Mokh7777]

je&moi-meme * awe why don’t you run along to your safe space.

[@golabdareh3876]

@@maryberdjis4223 wrong. Iran has been ALWAYS called Iran by Iranians. It was the Greek who used the name of one region in Iran (Parse, today Pars or Fars province) to refer to the entire empire. Other Euros followed suit. So in English Iran was Persia. But in Iran Iran was ALWAYS Iran. Persia was simply one province in central south where the capital of Achamendis were.

[@davidstempien8615]

Nowadays, Iran needs a king like Ahasuerus and a queen like Esther.

[@SaoudAqeel]

I have a question, where did the Persian Jews come from to Iran? I know Im talking about around 2,700 years ago, but Im just curious.

[@user-yi4mt4hp8u]

they originated from Israel but the babylonians brought them as slaves to Iran until King Cyrus freed them and let them live there, read Queen Esther

[@SaoudAqeel]

J well thanks for the information, but anyway, there is nothing called “Isreal”. Its “Palestine”,

[@bidarvandi]

go back in iraq about8000 years ago.akad and samer tribe were hebraic speaking or semite related language ,iraqi also is semite.but when king of bobilon went to isreal and captured another hebrasic or semite tribe iniraq and made them slave.that time arabic language did not spoken nor written but when cyrus the king freed semite include also people from arabs persian gulf (were also semite and were slave of bobilon.arabs and jews have the same race and arabic made of hebraic language .so semite people are in m,east from the start of ..................you may find out the rest in books.DONT BE LAZY.

[@user-yi4mt4hp8u]

@@bidarvandi arabs and jews are not the same ethnic group...

[@Israelball]

@@SaoudAqeel just saying, Palestine was a name made from the romans not the Arabs. Judea was before Palestine was even a name. So please think again

[@elijahshuaibu4796]

If you doubt the ancestry and origins of the Ashkenazi Jews, you shouldn't doubt the origins and ancestry of the Mizrahi Jews. The Ashkenazi Jews may have come from the Khazarians, but the Mizrahi Jews must be the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Israel.

[@Rodin99]

Interesting to see the number of responses that take issue with this young man. The Jewish population has dwindled. There is one court Jew in the Majlis to repeat Iranian racist ideology under this regime. Interesting to see this "person of color" same color as me. SO I am too.

[@ladymsthing6056]

That’s so damn sad.

[@golabdareh3876]

It is a propaganda lie. Iran is the safest place for Jews.

[@matthewnassir]

@@golabdareh3876 biggest lie I’ve ever heard

[@golabdareh3876]

@@matthewnassir It is NOT a lie. The biggest lie is what the MSM propaganda have made you believe. Do your own research. There has never been a hate crime against Jews in Iran for decades. Jewish kids play freely in streets while wearing their Jewish caps. They cannot do this in many parts of Europe due to hate and racism against Jews. There are around 20 Syngouges in Tehran only, Jewish government subsidied school, Jewish community centre and library. Jews in Iran are allowed to consume alcohol as it is considered sacred in their religion. They are TOTALLY free to practice their religion and they do so peacefully and openly along their Muslim, Christian, and Zoroastrian country men and women. There is a street in Tehran called street of religions where a mosque, a church, a Zoroastrian fire temple, and a Syngouge are operating side by side. In Iran, Syngouges (or other religious building) are not patrolled by security guards (unlike in France and many other parts of Europe), the reason being, there is no need. There has never been an attacked on Syngouges (or churches or fire temples). Move beyond the false and hateful propaganda the Israeli regime and Western media have filled your head with. Iran is not what they have led you believe.

[@matthewnassir]

@@golabdareh3876 do my own research? Mate my parents were born and raised in Iran and they can back up what I’m saying

[@keymiaee]

Jews have lived in Iran as IRANIAN for over 2500 years. It is true there have been racism in Iran on religious and race base issues, but Iranian people have never treated our Jewish country men they way Jewish population were threat in Europe and USA. That does not mean Iranian Jewish should appreciate their situation in Iran. They have EVERY RIGHT to DEMAND to be treated as an EQUAL to all other Iranian. We Iranian people who face the racism in USA and Europe, have the responsibility to teach and guide our people what racism is and how we should treat all of our minorities. Iran will not be the same country w/o its minorities. Let's be BETTER than last generation.

[@Lagolop]

To hell with iran. Israel is the homeland of the Jewish nation.

[@keymiaee]

@@Lagolop Hell with an apartheid regime of Zionists!!

[@Lagolop]

@@keymiaee LOL, what are you doing too do about it if you dislike Israel so much? Nothing cuz you are impotent to harm the Jewish state. That is why you pathetic dog shit people hate Isreal so much; because with Israel the Jewish people are not at the mercy of anybody. Not so easy to fucque with Jews anymore is it :) You would prefer Jews to be landless and disenfranchised. Like in the old days when you bastards treated Jews and Christians like 2nd class citizens. Who is laughing now :) .... at YOU.

[@keymiaee]

@@Lagolop First of all: You are the "pathetic dog shit people" who hate the palestinian the rightful owner of the land. No one like Israel because you are racist and created an apartheid system worse than South Africa of 1980's. Jewish people who moved to Palestine had land and countries of their own for centuries. They introduced themselves as German, British, American,.... It is shameful that after what they went through in Europe, they treated Palestinian the same way as soon as they got the power. So you can write all these nasty things about other people, but you are the one who is doing it to Palestinian and their children. For those who wants to hear the truth about Muslim and Jews, here Professor Roy Casagrande : kzbin.info/www/bejne/g2bGfWRnmdWmars kzbin.info/www/bejne/nYWagICFbdObkMk I really feel very sorry for you and people like you.

[@Lagolop]

@@keymiaee LOL. You mention apartheid. I find that rich. You have utterly no idea of the history of the Jews, the historical facts and archaeologic evidence indicating that it is the JEWS and only the JEWS that are aboriginal to the land. There are no such people as "palestinians"; they are regional arabs that came into the land mostly AFTER the Ottoman were kick out by the Brits. You say nobody likes Isreal. Gee I'm crying a river. Actually that is untrue. Some of the most supportive people are American and European Christians. But behold "apartheid" in Israel. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5SofWCEod11oZI

[@MGourki]

I was born in Hamadan.I have lived with them peacefuly.The criminal Khomeini killed many of them.Hope at the intenational court we can see the criminal regim in Iran how to react for his behavour.

[@changolini]

They are disappearing

[@adamrhaman5833]

Very inspiring and sad story.

[@ms9771]

Because, he did not told the true and his father was not side of Iran American founding father, benjamin frankin and his son fight against each other, time of Revolution William Franklin stubbornly refused his father's advice. He had twin arguments for his position. One, he remained loyal to the king; and two, he did not believe most Americans would support the Revolution. ... But as the war with Great Britain gained momentum, so did the fight between father and son At the end American won Revolution

[@phoenixmemoir9543]

it's all lies. Jews are safer in Iran than most other places in the world, esp Europe.

[@golabdareh3876]

Very false story!!!!

[@Shapulak]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@changolini]

Since the creation of Israel it made it decline

[@changolini]

I honestly think the creation of Israel destroyed the Mizrahi sephardic identity

[@Lagolop]

Israel wasn't "created" it was REBORN and the biggest Zionist on the planet are Mizrahi and Sephardi Jews, even more so that us Ashkenazi. Israel is a miracle and the tiny Jewish nation is strong.

[@changolini]

@@Lagolop the Mizrahi communities didn't even knew the existence of the state until the missions started to bring em into israel

[@Lagolop]

@@changolini What is your point. Of course they knew of the Jewish state. ALL Jews did and do to this day. They have been praying to return for >2000 years to their indigenous lands!