WANA (Nov 21) – Mohammad Javad Zarif, former Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, addressed the global Jewish community in a video message, condemning Zionism as a violation of the Ten Commandments. He called on them to liberate the Abrahamic faith of Judaism from the corruption, falsification, aggression, racial discrimination, and massacres associated with Zionism.

 

Zarif’s message to the followers of Prophet Moses was an act of public diplomacy that garnered significant attention in regional and international political circles.

 

In today’s world, diplomacy serves as a powerful tool for influencing the behavior of nations. It is a weapon effective not only in defending national interests and security but also in fostering friendship, peace, and even gaining access to global markets.

For the first time, an Iranian official addressed the global Jewish community in English, urging them to draw inspiration from universal values that oppose oppression and aggression. Zarif encouraged them to stand up to the hostile policies of the Israeli regime.

 

This message appeared to be a reaction to an earlier move by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The week before, Netanyahu had sent two provocative messages in Persian, echoing slogans from Iran’s 2022 street protests, in an attempt to create tension by addressing Iranians directly.

 

Zarif’s public diplomacy skillfully presented a narrative tailored for the true followers of Prophet Moses. He clearly distinguished the teachings of Abrahamic Judaism from the violent nature of Zionism. By highlighting the crimes of child-killing and genocide perpetrated by Zionist war-mongers, Zarif posed profound questions to faithful Jews:

 

“Does your faith permit such mass killings? Does your religion allow the killing of children? Are you willing to let your religion be represented by such atrocities? Do the Ten Commandments of Moses allow such crimes?”

 

By depicting the ongoing atrocities of Israel, Zarif reminded Jews worldwide that the actions of the Israeli government were tarnishing the image of Judaism and associating it with brutality and injustice.

 

This initiative comes at a time when the Islamic Republic faces one of its most challenging periods in foreign policy, relying on both formal and informal diplomacy through influential figures.

 

Reza Nasri, a senior expert in international affairs, explains: “It must be made clear to Jews that Iran’s and the Resistance Axis’s opposition to Israel is not rooted in anti-Semitism, but in opposition to occupation, colonialism, apartheid, war crimes, and genocide.”

 

The Israeli regime has built an ecosystem to maintain international support and internal cohesion. Internationally, it perpetuates the narrative of Iranian anti-Semitism, while domestically, it sustains a militarized environment where men and women are required to serve 2.5 and 2 years of mandatory military service, respectively, and remain in reserve forces with military training until the age of 55.

 

Abbas Araghchi, a former member of the nuclear negotiating team (L) and Amir Abdullahian, Iran's foreign minister (R). Social Media / WANA News Agency

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This “security environment” and perception of external threats—fueled by accusations of anti-Semitism—serve as the basis for securing global support, appealing to Western public opinion, and preserving internal unity. Unfortunately, Iran, as the primary target of these accusations, has struggled to effectively counter this narrative and prevent Israel from continuing its propaganda.

 

United Nations General Assembly Resolution 3379, adopted on November 10, 1975, equated Zionism with racism, condemning it as a threat to global peace and security. It urged all nations to oppose this racist ideology. However, this resolution was later revoked under U.S. pressure, and opposition to Zionism in Western countries has since been equated with anti-Semitism.

 

Last year, Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian referenced this resolution in his address to the UN General Assembly in New York, stating:”We must see reality as it is. The reality is that brutal occupation has transformed into ruthless and deep-rooted apartheid. This horrifying combination of