We Believe in Israel (WBII) is proud to launch a landmark educational and advocacy booklet, Forgotten Exodus: The Untold Story of Jewish Refugees from Arab Lands — produced in collaboration with our partners at Harif, Stop the Hate UK, and The Shield of David.
For too long, the international conversation on Middle Eastern refugees has focused solely on the Palestinian experience, overlooking the parallel and equally tragic displacement of over 850,000 Jews from Arab countries in the mid-20th century. These Jewish communities — some of whom had lived in the region for over 2,500 years, predating Islam by centuries — were uprooted through violence, expulsion, and confiscation, leaving behind a legacy of trauma, cultural erasure, and uncompensated loss.
This booklet seeks to restore historical balance. It sets out the legal, historical, and moral case for recognising Jewish refugees from Iraq, Egypt, Libya, Syria, Yemen, and beyond — and challenges the international community, including the UK Government, to uphold principles of justice and parity for all refugee populations.
The content includes:
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A historical overview of the Jewish presence in the Arab world
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Analysis of the legal status of Jewish refugees under international law
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Details of state-sponsored persecution, confiscation, and displacement
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Testimonies from survivors and descendants
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Clear policy recommendations, including calls for recognition, inclusion in curricula, and restitution
READ HERE
