On 1 June 1941, which coincided with the Jewish festival of Shavuot, the Nazi-inspired Farhud erupted in Baghdad, accelerating the demise of more than two millennia of peaceful coexistence between Jews and Arabs. The pogrom finally ceased on 2 June with the deaths of over 180 Jews, thousands injured, and the lives of all Iraqi Jews permanently changed.
The Farhud (Arabic for ‘violent dispossession’) was shocking for the Jewish community, who represented some of the country’s most successful businessmen, cultural figures, and intellectual leaders. Within a decade, the overwhelming majority would emigrate to Israel, leaving a small community of vulnerable Jews behind.
One of those to survive the Farhud massacre was 2-year-old Shlomo Mansour, who immigrated to Israel with his family.
Shlomo would grow up to be a husband, father of 5, and grandfather of 12. He was among the founders of Kibbutz Kissufim, where he worked in the kibbutz chicken coop and eyewear factory. A dedicated worker with “golden hands”, he learned carpentry and jewelry making as a hobby.
Fast forward to October 7th, 2023, which coincided with both the Jewish Sabbath and the Jewish festival of Simchat Torah.
On that fateful day, 85-year old Shlomo Mansour was abducted by Hamas terrorists, along with his wife Mazal, from their safe room. While Mazal managed to break away, the 57 kg Shlomo, who also without his hearing aids, was handcuffed and kidnapped into Gaza in his own car.
And today we found out he was murdered on October 7, with only his lifeless body taken into Gaza, where it remains held.
Meanwhile, many savages are celebrating his murder:
May Shlomo’s memory forever be for a blessing, and his blood avenged.
