The Iraqi Jews who immigrated to Israel in the early 1950s have preserved their own musical tradition. In the first half of the 20th century, almost all professional instrumental musicians in Iraq were Jewish. They played in the Imperial Orchestra, in the Baghdad radio orchestra, and in the nightclubs of Baghdad. Leading performers included composer and Oud player Ezra Aharon, violinist Salih Al-Kuwaiti and his brother, oud player Dawud Al-Kuwaiti, composer Salim Al'Nur, singer Salima Pasha, and others. Between 1949 and 1950, almost all these professional musicians fled Iraq for Israel. The Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA) Arabic Orchestra was instrumental in sustaining their musical traditions in Israel.

​

Many of these musicians were forced to seek employment outside the music business, but they continued to perform in the community. "Our musical tradition continues", said Suad Bazun, singer and daughter to a family of leading Iraqi musicians. Today the grandchildren and the great-grandchildren continue to fill their homes with the songs of Iraq.

There is also Abraham Salman, a blind khanoun player who was born in Iraq in 193. He joined the Iraqi Radio Orchestra and accompanied renowned Arabic singers. He moves to Israel in 1950. In Israel, he worked with the Arabic orchestra of the Israeli radio, called ‘Kol Israel’ until 1988.