World Bulletin/News Desk

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin has called on Arab countries and Iran to pay reparations to Jews who he claims were expelled from these countries.

The call came during the first ever ceremony held by Israel to commemorate the expulsion of Jews from Arab countries and Iran.

"The voice of Jews from Arab countries and Iran must be heard within the education system, in the media, in the arts, and in the country’s official institutions, as it needs to be heard in the international arena as well, in order to mend the historical injustice, and to ensure financial reparations," Rivlin was quoted by the Times of Israel news website as saying on Sunday evening.

The president did not specify the amount of reparations Israel is looking for from Arab countries and Iran.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry's website said that the number of Jewish refugees from Arab countries and Iran amounted to 849,000.

"The Arab countries, which never accepted the UN declaration on the establishment of a Jewish state, compelled the Jews living in their territories to leave their homes while leaving their assets behind," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was quoted by the Times of Israel as saying during the same ceremony.

"We have acted – and will continue to act – so that they and their claims are not forgotten," he added.