Iran has released the final five of 13 Iranian Jews arrested on charges of spying for Israel, but it is feared that they could be re-arrested at any time. This is because they were not pardoned, but rather "granted an extended leave of absence from prison." JTA reports that the uncertain status of the five seems to underscore the precarious situation faced by the entire Jewish community in Iran, which now numbers between 22,000 and 25,000, down from approximately 100,000 prior to the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Three of the 13 who were imprisoned over three years ago on charges of spying for Israel were released and pardoned last week. Israel has consistently denied that the men spied on its behalf. Leading U.S. Jewish organizations in the forefront of the crusade to win their freedom were cautious not to criticize the nature of their release. “We continue to choose not to comment on the circumstances surrounding this extraordinary set of events," said a spokesman for the Council of Iranian American Jewish Organizations in Los Angeles.
Three of the 13 who were imprisoned over three years ago on charges of spying for Israel were released and pardoned last week. Israel has consistently denied that the men spied on its behalf. Leading U.S. Jewish organizations in the forefront of the crusade to win their freedom were cautious not to criticize the nature of their release. “We continue to choose not to comment on the circumstances surrounding this extraordinary set of events," said a spokesman for the Council of Iranian American Jewish Organizations in Los Angeles.