We Love You - Iran & Israel

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Comment by Tony Nuspl on April 7, 2012 at 11:36pm

20,000 Jews still live in Iran who, some fear, could face reprisals if there is an Israeli strike ||

Molok Shamshiri, an Iranian-Israeli restaurant cook, recalls relations with Muslims back in Iran as being ''so good it is hard to describe.''

''My Muslim neighbor would come make tea for me every Sabbath because she knew I could not light the fire [due to an orthodox Jewish prohibition],'' says Ms. Shamshiri, a religious woman who covers her hair for modesty. ''The Muslims would help us with parties, celebrations, weddings. They would help with everything and not for money. They would always ask if we needed anything.''

Shamshiri, who takes pride in her Ghormeh Sabzi, a famous herbal soup, says: ''It is hard for me to understand how things went so wrong. But I am sure the Iranian people are still the same people. Neither do the Iranian people want war. I know them.''

After she left Iran, Shamshiri continued visiting frequently up until the Islamic revolution of 1979 and also sent her children on visits to get to know the old country. Her sister still lives there.

Her face lights up when she is asked where she is from.

''Isfahan, a city that has everything good in this world. The four seasons there are like clockwork. In the spring, you have the sunshine, the chirping of the birds, and the flowers. It's a calm city, a paradise.''

Clothing store owner Albert Moradian has feelings for Iran that are perhaps even stronger. ''To sum up in one word, I feel longing,'' he says, tears welling up in his eyes. Turning up a CD of Iranian classical music singer Mohammed Shajarian, Mr. Moradian says: ''I am Iranian in my behavior, my accent, and the demands I make of my children to respect everyone.''


http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2012/0406/Israel-s-Irani...