Leader of Iran's Jewish community pledges allegiance to Mojtaba Khamenei

In a significant display of loyalty, Younes Hamami Lalehzar, a prominent leader within Iran's Jewish community, has publicly pledged allegiance to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. This declaration, made at a rally in Tehran's Enqelab Square, signals the community's endorsement of Khamenei's leadership and their hopes for Iran's continued success and prosperity under his guidance.

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We are happy that the members of the Khamenei Council, who are the followers of Imam Shaheed, have reached this important position and responsibility. We hope that they will be successful in this important responsibility and that they will be a witness to the victory, success, and prosperity of our beloved country, Iran.

This alignment is particularly noteworthy given the historical context of Iran's Jewish population, which, despite being a fraction of its pre-1979 size, remains the largest in the Middle East outside of Israel. Under the Islamic Republic, this community has often found itself in a position of publicly criticizing Israeli policy, a stance that contrasts sharply with the official narrative in Israel and many Western nations.

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The Zionist regime showed no mercy towards this community during the Jewish holidays and attacked one of our ancient and holy synagogues.

Past statements from community leaders and organizations, such as Younes Hamami Lalehzar's condemnation of "the criminal Zionist regime" and the Jewish Association and Community of Isfahan's denunciation of "the Zionists’ brutality," highlight this distinct perspective. Even in the face of incidents like a missile strike damaging a Tehran synagogue, the community's public response has often emphasized solidarity with Iran and criticism of Israel, reflecting a complex identity shaped by their unique position within the Islamic Republic.

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The murder of civilians, women and children by the criminal Zionist regime and the evil Netanyahu must be met with decisive force.