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June 14, 2000

A number of developments have occurred in recent days in the trial of the Iranian thirteen. Trial hearings are now expected to conclude early next week, and a verdict handed down a week later. At two sessions earlier this week, the Jewish prisoners were brought face to face with one of the arrested Muslims, who was expected to corroborate the charges against them – but did not. Additionally, the Jews recanted their earlier confessions after being asked by the judge to write a detailed admission of guilt. Overall, Tuesday was described as a "good day for the defense."

In other developments:

• UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan will travel to Iran this weekend, and will raise the plight of the thirteen with government officials and others.
• Leaders of Neturai Karta have denied Iranian news reports that a Neturai Karta delegation visiting Iran said that the prisoners are guilty and had been duped by the Zionists. Rather, the delegation has taken a low-key position on the case, asking for mercy and stressing that not all Jews are Zionists, and that it would be unlikely that these loyal, religious Jews would spy on Iran. The delegation is expected to remain in Iran until the end of the week.
• In an interview broadcast on a Farsi radio station based in Los Angeles, the son of Ayatollah Montezerri said that under Islamic law the confessions of the thirteen have no value. The statement is important in that Ayatollah Montezerri has many followers in Iran, and that this type of declaration is seen by many as a fatwa (religious legal ruling.)

Action Recommendations:

• According to defense lawyer Esmail Nasseri, it is important that foreigners conduct prayers for the thirteen in synagogues, temples and other houses of worship. This past Monday communities across the country observed a national day of prayer in synagogues and schools; similar prayer gatherings are encouraged.
• Community leaders should meet with European consuls and representatives to urge them to press the Iranians on the case as the verdicts near. Please refer to previous alerts for talking points.

• When the House of Representatives turns its attention to the Agriculture Appropriations bill, it will consider a provision which would lift sanctions on sales of food and medicine to Cuba, North Korea, Libya, Sudan and Iran. Rep. George Nethercutt (WA) introduced the provision in subcommittee as a way to open an estimated $7 billion market for American farmers. Although most legislators have focused on the impact of this provision with regard to Cuba, few have considered the consequences if provided to the other countries. The timing of this amendment is ill advised. With the fate of 13 Iranian Jews up in the air, lifting sanctions would send the wrong signal to the Iranians. The involvement of some of these countries in support of international terrorism, continued efforts to amass weapons of mass destruction and general opposition to the Middle East peace process are additional reasons for Representatives to reject this amendment. Calls are needed to Representatives to urge them to oppose this provision.

• Attached is a petition to Ayatollah Khamnei, Leader of the Revolution (the highest ranking cleric in Iran) and Iranian President Khatami. This is an international effort that began in France and should be circulated widely. Please send signatures back to the JCPA by Friday, June 23, 2000, to the attention of Estee Yaari.

Please contact the JCPA for more information.

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