By 1951, 80% of all Iraqi Jews have immigrated, alomost all to Israel. The time during the Holocaust resulted in the beginning of the end to the Jewish community in Iraq.
Rashid Ali was the pro-nazi government of Iraq at the time of the Holocaust. Many Muslim joined the Nazi party. A youth group was made in Iraq based off the Hitler's Youth program, Al-Fatwa. At this time, Iraq was under British control. They decided to place 'Abd al-Ilah as the leader of Iraq.
Germany had strong ties to Iraq. Iraq had a German embassy. From the very start of Hitler's Third Reich, propoganda was shown in Iraq. Mein Kampf was translated into Arabic. Pro-nazi Iraqi officers were known as The Golden Square.
On April 1st, 1941, the Golden Square susscessfully over threw the British-imposed Iraqi government. Confortation happened between the Iraqi and the British armies. Hitler decided to fully back Iraq while the British asked Roosevelt for assistance.
On May 30th, the Britians were able to drive the Golden Coup out of Iraq. Most of them escaped through Iran to Germany.
Farhud is the name of the Iraqi pogrom against the Jews on June 1st and 2nd of 1941. Around 180 Jews were killed, about 900 homes and businesses destroyed and looted, and between 250 and 2000 Jews injured. The Israeli-based Babylonian Heritage Museum claims that in addition to 180 identified victims there are about 600 unidentified victims buried in a mass grave. Eight people were sentenced to death by the pro-British Iraqi government.
Farhud, the forgotton pogrom of the Holocaust marks the beginning of the dispora from Iraq. More lootings, harrassment, and abuse followed. By 2003, less than 100 Jews were left in this once great Jewish community. By 2008, the Jewish community in Iraq numbered a mere 7 people.
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