Journal of the Babylonian Jewry Heritage Center
No.13, Summer 2001



 
FOR HIS LIFE WORK
FOR SPECIAL CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIETY AND TO THE STATE

To: Mr. Mordechay Ben-Porat
Judges' rational

Mordechai Ben-Porat is one of those whose name is deeply associated with the rescue of Jews, with bringing them to Israel and aiding in their absorption here. From his early youth he was a member of the Pioneers (HeHalutz) youth movement that operated the underground in Iraq. He immigrated to Israel in 1946, enlisted in the 'Haganah', participated in the first Officers' Training Course of the Israel Defense Force and served as a company commander in the War of Independence.


Mr. Najah Yas Congratulates Mr Mordechay Ben-Porat

During the years 1949-1951 he served as an emissary sent to Iraq to organize the immigration of the Iraqi Jews to Israel, which came to be known as Operation Ezra and Nehemiah. These were critical years for the Jews of Iraq, years that culminated in their immigration to Israel. Ben-Porat was responsible for organizing the immigration of one hundred and twenty thousand Iraqi Jews in one year. During those years he risked his life more than once and was a target for action on the part of the Iraqi government. Upon his return to Israel he devoted himself to the absorption of Iraqi Jews into Israeli society. As Chairman of the Or-Yehuda Municipal Council he invested a special effort in education and in municipal services. As a member of the Knesset he fought for social equality, a better education and a higher living standard for new immigrants and their children.

In 1979, after the rise of Houmeni to power in Iran, and the breaking off of diplomatic relations between Israel and Iran, Ben-Porat was sent by the Jewish Agency and the State of Israel to assist Iranian Jews in their immigration to Israel. Here too he served under difficult and dangerous conditions, but spared no effort in this connection
Ben-Porat was nominated by the founders of the Organization of Jews from Arab Countries who left their native lands and arrived in Israel as refugees.

His crowning achievement has been the creation of the Babylonian Jewry Heritage Center in Or-Yehuda. This institution houses a large library, a museum with permanent exhibits and is host to study seminars for thousands of students, teachers and youth who come to study at the Heritage Center of Babylonian Jewry, the oldest of all Jewish communities in Exile.

During the years of his activity he has strengthened the ties between Jews of Iraqi origin still scattered throughout the world, in England, the United States and other countries, and has helped to fortify their ties with the Jews of Israel.

For his life's work and willingness to undergo danger for the sake of Israel and for his unbounded loyalty to the Zionist cause, his community and to all Israel, the judges' committee consider Mordechai Ben-Porat a worthy recipient of the Israel Prize in this the year 2001, for his life's work and for his unique contribution to society and to the State of Israel.

JUDGES:
Prof. Anita Shapira, Chairman
Mr. Hayim Israeli
Mr. Eli Amir