Teach Mizrahi expulsion in schools, says Hotovely

Israeli Ambassador Tzipi Hotovely has praised the ‘pure Zionism’ of  renowned philanthropist David Dangoor, while backing moves for the curriculum to include the expulsion of nearly one million Jews from Arab lands.

Addressing a moving event at London’s JW3 marking Mizrahi Heritage Month, Hotovely said she was proud to honour the contribution and legacy of Sephardi Jews to Israel: “Our culture and religion would simply not be as authentic without the Mizrahi Jews. In the story of the Jewish people, this chapter in history is one people are just not familiar with. That is why it is so important for us to add this story to our educational curriculum.”

The evening was jointly organised by Sephardi Voices International, JW3 and the Board of Deputies of British Jews. The Ambassador heartily commended David Dangoor: “You have devoted your life to investing in science, especially cancer research. For you, the future of Israel is a place that brings innovation to the world. You have unquestionably made the world a better place.”

Growing up in Baghdad, David is the son of Sir Naim Dangoor, whose substantial support for refugees and disadvantaged communities across the globe earned him a knighthood in 2015. Despite losing everything in fleeing Iraq, David says his father “never forgot his roots. Preserving the best of the past was a theme of his life. It is an inherently Jewish theme.”

Sir Naim brought his family – including David and his three brothers, Michael, Robert and Elie – to the UK in 1959 after the Ba’ath party took control of Iraq and enacted harsh decrees against Jews.

Upon settling, he founded a community centre for new immigrants in Kensington and a journal to help network Iraqi-Jewish refugees.

David and his brothers have tirelessly carried on their father’s legacy, forging closer ties between the UK and Israel. This includes funding scientific exchanges and supporting groundbreaking cancer research between the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot and Imperial College. Board Vice President and co-organiser of the evening, Edwin Shuker, reflected: “Today we, the forgotten refugees, tell our story so we are no longer forgotten. I am one of those who has shared my story as a witness statement. We will never forget.”