In modern times, problems for the Jews in Iraq began in 1920’s and worsened with Nazism.

In July 1941, just after the British defeated the Nazi-influenced Iraqi government, an Arab mob committed the Farhud – a pogrom against the Jews of Baghdad. Almost 200 Jews were murdered. Israel’s War of Independence worsened the conditions of Jewish communities in Iraq.

Iraq sent an expeditionary force to invade Israel on May 15, 1948, and when this was defeated, the Iraqi government started to implement discriminatory measures against Jews. In 1948, there were more than 150,000 Jews living in Baghdad.

In December 1949, conditions became easier for the Jews. After a secret negotiation, Jews were allowed to leave Iraq without hindrance, and 120,000 of them chose to make Aliyah to Israel in Operation Ezra and Nehemiah.

In late 1968, scores of Jews were jailed on false charges of spying for Israel, culminating in the 1969 public hanging of 9 Jewish men. Other suspected spies for Israel died under torture. After Baghdad Radio invited Iraqi citizens to “come and enjoy the feast”, half a million people paraded and danced past the scaffolds where the men were hanged, which resulted in international criticism.

In response to international pressure, the Baghdad government quietly allowed most of the remaining Jews to emigrate in the early 1970’s, even while leaving other restrictions in force. Most of Iraq’s remaining Jews were too old to leave. They were pressured by the government to turn over title, without compensation, to more than $200 million worth of Jewish community property. It is doubtful that any Jews still live in Iraq today.