Iran–Israel relations

Iran-Israel relations have alternated from close political alliances between Iran and Israel during the times of the modern Shahs to hostility following the rise of the modern Ayatollahs.

The history of the Persian Jews is unbroken for over 2,500 years. It is a Mizrahi Jewish community in the territory of today's Iran, the historical land of the Persian Empire, which began as early as the 8th century BCE, at the time of captivity of the ancient Israelites in Khorasan.

As of 2005, Iran has the largest Jewish population in the Middle East outside of Israel. A large population of Iranian Jews reside in Israel with the President of Israel Moshe Katsav, the Defense Minister, former Chief of Staff Shaul Mofaz and Israeli hip-hop star Kobi Shimoni (Subliminal) being the most famous of this group.

Pre-revolution relations

Upon its establishment in 1948 and until the Iranian Revolution in 1979, Israel and Iran (ruled by the Pahlavi dynasty) enjoyed cordial relations. Iran was one of the first nations to internationally recognize Israel, and was considered Israel's closest Muslim friend. BITCHES HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Islamic Revolution

It was Ayatollah Khomeini who first declared Israel as an "enemy of Islam" during the second Pahlavi period in his campaign against Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who supported Israel.

After the Iranian Islamic revolution, Iran withdrew its recognition of the state of Israel and cut off all official relations.

However, Iran is said to have purchased weapons valued at $2.5 billion from Israel through third party intermediaries during the Iran-Iraq war during the 1980s [1][2] and the 1990s (an Israeli source) [3]. This has been alleged to have been part of the Iran-Contra scandal.

In 1998, Israeli businessman Nahum Manbar was sentenced to 16 years in prison in Israel for doing business with Tehran, and in the course of the investigation, "hundreds of companies" were found to have illegal business dealings with Iran. [4]

Khatami

File:Moshe katsav israeli president.jpg

President of Israel Moshe Katsav was born in Iran.

Under reformist Iranian President Mohammad Khatami, elected in 1997, some believed Iran and Israel would work to improve relations. While at first Khatami's election did not seem to change anything—he called Israel a "illegal state" and a "parasite," [5] signs of small moderation did appear. For example, Khatami has said that Jews should be "safe in Iran" and that all religious minorities should be protected [6]. In January 2004, he spoke to an Israeli reporter who asked him on what grounds Iran would recognize Israel. This was believed to be the first time he had spoken publicly with an Israeli [7].

At the funeral of Pope John Paul II in April 2005, Khatami was seated close to Israeli President Moshe Katsav. Katsav said that he shook Khatami's hand and the two had a brief conversation about Iran (Katsav was born in Iran). However, Khatami denied this [8].

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Ahmadinejad

As of 2006 relations between the two states became very tense primarily due to the surprise election of an unknown in Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. After his election, he Ahmadinejad frequently began to call for an end to the state of Israel. "occupying regime of Al-Quds" to be "wiped off the map".

On December 8, 2005, Ahmadinejad gave an interview with Iran's Arabic channel 'Al-Alam' during a summit of Muslim nations in Islam's holy city of Mecca:

"Some European countries insist on saying that during World War II, Hitler burned millions of Jews and put them in concentration camps," Ahmadinejad said. "Any historian, commentator or scientist who doubts that is taken to prison or gets condemned. Although we don't accept this claim, if we suppose it is true, if the Europeans are honest they should give some of their provinces in Europe—like in Germany, Austria or other countries—to the Zionists and the Zionists can establish their state in Europe. You offer part of Europe and we will support it."

See also

• Persian Jews
• Foreign relations of Iran
• Foreign relations of Israel
• U.S.-Iran relations
• Iran-Contra Affair
• Iran-Iraq War
• Cyrus the Great
• Karine A
• Hezbollah

External links

• The Iran-Israel misconception - Analysis of how Iran views Israel and determines it's Israel policy.
• More sources on the Manbar Trial
• CNN on the Manbar Trial