Jews' relocation to take place next week

SANA'A, Jan. 13 (Saba) - Yemeni Jews in Amran province are to
relocate to the capital Sana'a next Sunday, head of the Rights and
Freedoms Committee in Parliament Muhammad Naji al-Shaef said on
Tuesday.

Arrangements for the transfer have been completed with four
residential compounds along with other requirements provided,
al-Shaef was cited by the newsyemen.net as saying.

Chief Rabbi in the province Yahya Yaesh said Jews were informed
about the date set for their relocation and assured all measures for
their relocation have been taken.

Meanwhile, security measures are intensified as people in the area
plan to hold a demonstration in support for the Gaza people.

Police stand guard at the houses of Jews in preparation to prevent
any possible attacks by demonstrators.

However, Jewish sources noted that such measures are not sufficient,
particularly after last attacks on Jews during which a Jew was
injured.

Last week, some primary students threw stones at Jews and their
houses in the area injuring one of the Jewish community.

On December 11, a Jew was murdered in Amran province.

Religious reasons were behind the murder.

The murderer, a former pilot in the Yemen Air Force, is now on
trial.

But the trial is being marred by relatives of the killer who
threatened during previous sessions to attack the victim's family
along with other Jews in the area.

These relatives say if the victim's family pursues justice through
seeking penalty death against their relative, the killer, they will
cleanse all Jews in the area.

Lawyers, journalists and soldiers were also threatened and sometimes
attacked.

Owing to lack of security and protection that have to be provided
for the victim's family while pursuing justice, lawyers and rights
organizations are demanding the trial procedures to be held in
Sana'a instead of Amran.

After the murder, a Jewish delegation met with President Ali
Abdullah Saleh and briefed him on harassments they started to
experience recently.

Responding to their complaints, President Saleh ordered the
allocation of a land plot in Sana'a and YR 2 million for every
Jewish family in Amran.

In return, Jews should sell their properties in Amran and move to
Sana'a.

The relocation was scheduled for January 1 but it was delayed for a
week.

Last week, Jews were informed that arrangements for their relocation
were not completed.