How the Last Basra Jew Was Rescued

Extracted from The Jewish Chronicle (published in London)

The Jewish serviceman who rescued the last Jew in Basra told the JC how he considered it his duty to help her.

The Army captain, identified only as Bob for security reasons saved Selima Moshe Nissim in 2003. She had been in hiding for 30 years after the death of her husband. Then a Lieutenant, Bob made tenacious efforts to discover Mrs Nissim’s whereabouts. Her Muslim neighbors had been bringing her food.

“I was the first Jew she had seen in 30 years, he recalled. “She just broke into the Shema. I couldn’t stop her until she was finished. I was moved by the squalor she lived in – the plaster was coming off the walls and there was rubbish everywhere.

“Terrorists were looking for her. All the other jews had left, been expelled or killed. I thought ‘she has to get out’. I was conscious of making promised I couldn’t keep.”

On his return to UK Bob contacted Senior Chaplain, Rev Malcolm Weisman and a well-connected friend in the Israeli Army. He later learned that Mrs Nissim had been ‘spirited away’ and went to live in Israel. Her sister is there and they were reunited after 50 years.”

In 2004 Bob visited her in a Tel Aviv nursing home.

“When I see what goes on in Iraq, it’s obvious that if she hadn’t left she would be dead by now. I don’t think I’m a hero. It was my duty as a British officer to recognise that she was in a difficult position.”

The following article was from Yidiot Achronot from 13 Feb 2004 (click the image to see the full size version).

Bob’s translation of the article goes like this:

“Selima Moshe Nissin, 80, who arrived from Iraq a few months ago had an emotional surprise yesterday. In her room in Geya Geriatric Hospital near Tel Aviv, entered Lt Bob, an English (I’m actually Scottish) Officer who fought in Iraq. Lt Bob, a Jew who helped liberate Basra, immediately started looking for Jews in the City. After many false leads and disappointments he succeeded in finding the hiding place of Selima. He located her and adopted her until she was able to make Aliya to Israel. “My Saviour, My Saviour!” exclaimed Selima when she saw the English Officer. “I contacted the Jewish Agency in London and asked that they help her. Its very emotional to see her here” said the Officer. The small picture on the right was when the pair were still in Iraq.”

The very modest Bob gives his personal version here:

I was at a party for the great and the good of Basra, people that we are probably fighting now, but anyway, while I was there I met with a local official. I stated chatting to him about all sorts being the good officer host that I am and asked about the Jewish Community in Basra. He got very very suspicious of my asking and kept changing the subject. He told me eventually how the were hanged and persecuted and accused of being spies, etc. but I felt there was more to it. Eventually after a few hours he confessed there was one left. Selima had been in hiding for 30 years and this official had protected her since her husband died 20 years ago. I was the first Jew she had seen since. I went to visit her several times and asked hypothetically if she would want to go to Israel. She said yes so I called a very well connected friend of mine who knows people who would rather not be named and they set it all up. So basically I made a phone call or two and am now a hero in Israel. Cool huh?