Authorities of Iran have cancelled the status of “national heritage objects” for the graves of queen Ester and her uncle Mordechai thus living them without the government protection and provoke mass anti-Jewish student demonstrations which wish to ruin the graves.
The graves of the main characters of Megillat Ester are located in Hamdan called Shushan in the times of king Ahashverosh, 250 km from Tegeran. The gravestones constructed in 16th or 17th century are very well preserved.
Before the fundamentalist coup which toppled the liberal pro-western rule of Resa Pehlevi Jews weren’t persecuted in Persia. But fanatic ayatollas drove out most Jews; only 50 of them stayed in Hamdan. In spite of zoological anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism of the current Iran authorities they never tried to ruin the graves of ancient Jewish heroes, and the minister of tourism used to say that they’re a special historic value of Hamdan, one of the most ancient in Iran.
Now the position’s changed, and crowds of raving demonstrators tried to demolish the sight with total indifference from the authorities.
Many Jewish organizations expressed their anxiety over the escalation of anti-Semitism in Iran and asked Sokhnut and other influential Jewish structures take measures to provide safety to the few Jews who still live in Iran.