Ancient Iranian synagogues destroyed by realtors
Realty plan to reduce Jewish neighborhood in Tehran to ruins in order to erect residential skyscrapers meets objection due to destruction of synagogues. Kol Israel director in Iran: It's just greed
The destruction of the Jewish neighborhood in Tehran began three years ago. At first glance it appeared to be an anti-Semitic act, but in actuality the destruction was based on a decision to implement a plan for the erection of residential skyscrapers.
"It hurts to see the places we played in as children reduced to ruins," said Kol Israel (Voice of Israel radio station) Persian Section Director Menashe Amir. "The synagogues are not especially magnificent, but they are a part of the Jewish cultural history of Iran, and Iranian culture in general.
During the late 19th century, the neighborhood was considered one of the more magnificent areas of central Tehran, but over time it deteriorated and is presently considered one of the poorer areas of the city.
During the past 50 years many of its Jewish residents abandoned the neighborhood, and only the poorest remained.
Despite the bleak condition of the neighborhood, the construction plan proposing to erect skyscrapers in its stead met with opposition from the remaining residents, cultural activists, and Tehran environmentalists.
Tehran's municipality denied its involvement in the plan, even while the destruction continued to take place. "In addition to the synagogues, two old mosques have been destroyed," Amir said. "They may not have had aesthetic value, but they did have historical value. They were a testament to a way of life that no longer exists."
He added that it would have been possible to turn the ruins into a tourist attraction, but that the realtors had the upper hand in the issue, and they had already decided to build the skyscrapers.
"It's not anti-Semitism, it's just greed, but in any case we're talking about the destruction of synagogues, and we cannot remain silent on the issue."
