DATE=7/1/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=ISRAEL / IRAN REACT (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-263974
BYLINE=ROSS DUNN
DATELINE=JERUSALEM
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Israel has condemned Iran for convicting 10
Iranian Jews of spying for the Jewish State. Ross
Dunn reports from Jerusalem that the Israeli
government says its citizens will not rest until their
fellow Jews in Iran are set free.
TEXT: The Israeli Foreign Ministry says it is shocked
by an Iranian Court's decision to sentence 10 Jews to
prison terms ranging from four to 13 years after they
were convicted of taking part in a spy ring.
The Foreign Ministry broke with protocol and issued a
statement on Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath -- normally
a strict day of rest in Israel for government
authorities.
The statement describes the sentences as harsh and
says the Iranian Jews committed no wrongdoing.
The statement adds that the sentences issued by a
court in the southern Iranian city of Shiraz will
deprive these innocent Jews of their freedom for many
years.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry statement says: "Iran
cannot be accepted as a member of the international
community as long as Jewish prisoners are rotting away
in prison when they have done no wrong. Israel will
not rest until all the prisoners are released."
The decision of the Iranian court is the climax of an
18-month long espionage case, which outraged Israel
and Jewish communities around the world.
Many Jewish leaders had feared the Iranian Jews would
not receive a fair trial and would face execution
under Iran's system of Islamic law.
Lawyers for the convicted Jews in Iran say they are
confident the prison terms will be reduced following
an appeal. (SIGNED)
NEB/RD/DW/JP
01-Jul-2000 11:27 AM EDT (01-Jul-2000 1527 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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