Jews in Arab countries were not given a choice. They were stripped of their assets and forced to leave as penniless refugees.  Former Justice Minister of Canada Irwin Cotler, notes that

“A report titled ‘Jewish Refugees from Arab Countries: The Case for Rights And Redress’ documents a pattern of state-sanctioned repression and persecution in Arab countries – including Nuremberg-like laws – that targeted its Jewish populations, resulting in denationalization, forced expulsions, illegal sequestration of property, arbitrary arrest and detention, torture and murder – namely, anti-Jewish pogroms.” [15]