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TEHRAN (JTA) — The trial of 13 Iranian Jews accused of spying for Israel and the United States will last no more than a day, according to the judge handling the case.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for Iran's judiciary said it would be up to the judge to determine whether the trial, expected to take place next month, would be open to the public.

In response, American advocates for the 13 said the Iranian government had promised an open trial with foreign observers. They expressed concern that without such safeguards the trial will be a sham.

Families of the 13 are seeking lawyers, albeit with some difficulty, according to a spokesman for the Los Angeles-based Council of Iranian American Jewish Organizations.

Pooya Dayanim added that most Iranian attorneys are reluctant to take the case, fearing that association with alleged spies for Israel could hurt their chances of attracting future clients.

Bill would penalize Russia for Iran sales

JERUSALEM (JTA) — The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Iran Non-Proliferation Act on March 1 by a unanimous vote.

The act, which authorizes sanctions on Russian entities that assist Iran's nuclear program, is not meant to undermine the recent democratic advances of the Iranian people, said one congressman.

"It is my hope that some day soon, Iran will play a key supportive role in the Middle East peace process," said Rep. Sam Gejdenson (D-Conn.), a co-author of the bill.

The bill, which has already passed the Senate, now goes to President Clinton, who has to make a decision on whether to veto it in the coming days.

Should museums keep Nazis' loot?

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israeli Holocaust and art experts are suggesting that museums exhibiting Nazi-looted art keep the works as long as they explain how they were stolen from Jews.

Displaying a history of the theft alongside the work would educate museum-goers about the Holocaust, the directors of the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial and the Israel Museum said March 1.

The World Jewish Congress rejected the idea, saying museums should return looted works to the rightful owners.

Murderer released after seven years

JERUSALEM (JTA) — A Jewish settler sentenced to life in prison for the execution-style murder of a Palestinian man has been granted an early release after serving seven years.

In 1993, Yoram Shkolnik shot a bound and blindfolded Palestinian terrorist who had stabbed another settler. The parole board said that Shkolnik had convinced the panel of his remorse. He is expected to be released next month.

Yad Vashem unveils new archives, library

JERUSALEM (JTA) — The Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem has unveiled its new archives and library.

The building houses about 55 million of documents relating to the Holocaust. One-third of the funding for the $66 million project came from the Claims Conference, which used funds it had received as reparations for unclaimed Jewish properties in Germany. The remaining funding came from individual donors.