State Dept. Says New Anti-jewish Law in Iraq is ‘internal Problem’

The State Department considers the recent additional measures by the Baghdad Government requiring its Jewish citizens to re-register at the pain of losing their property as an “internal Iraqi problem” in which the State Department has no reason to interfere.

This was indicated today by State Department sources commenting on a report by the American Jewish Committee, which characterized the new Iraqi measures as further anti-Jewish moves. The report was submitted by the American Jewish Committee to the State Department.

Jews living in Iraq who cannot prove that they are entitled to Iraqi nationality will have their property impounded under the new law published in Iraq’s official Gazette after approval by the Cabinet. The measure appeared to be directed at the small number of wealthy Jews who remained in Iraq.