In Iran, support for Israel is a signal of defiance
Opponents of the government in Tehran have become expert at finding new ways to express their opposition: the latest, showing support for Israel in its war against Hamas.
Iranian diplomats and militia have long boasted about their regional influence through financing and backing Shia proxy groups such as Al Hashd Alshabi in Iraq the Houthis in Yemen, Palestinian Islamic Jihad in the West Bank and Hizbollah.
However, many Iranians see the “Axis of resistance” as a bad investment by the regime drawing cash and focus away from domestic challenges and attracting enmity and isolation on the wider international stage. Economic sanctions on Iran are often justified by its support for groups the West defines as terrorist.
Sara, 44, has a graduate degree in geology. She believes that the Iranian regime should stop supporting Hamas. She says: “I don’t mean to be unsympathetic but charity begins at home! Our country is more in need of assistance considering the poverty and high unemployment rates… I think the regime should help Palestinians only after it takes care of its own people.”
Morteza is a Taxi driver in his late fifties. He says Iranians should stand by Palestinians because they are also Muslims and they are oppressed. He has strong feelings against Israel. Another driver, Ali, challenges him as he overhears him talking. Ali responds: “We should pity ourselves! Should the Islamic regime make a stupid move the U.S. will bomb us and we won’t be better than Palestinians!”
Reza, a shop owner, 41, has a graduate degree. He empathises with the Palestinians in an interesting manner. He says: “They are captives of Hamas just like we are captives of the Islamic regime. Islamic regime doesn’t care about them more than it cares about us.”
It appears that some Iranians may not be as dedicated to the aspirations of Palestine as officials hope or desire.
During a televised debate on a show called “To the Horizon of Gaza”, the renowned Iranian economist and journalist, Saeed Leilaz, expressed concern over the lack of public participation in an endeavour called “Action for Gaza”. He said: “It is very saddening for me to say that donations for aid to Gaza and Afghanistan earthquake victims combined, amounted to only 17 billion Tomans (approx. $327,000) during two weeks. This is not our national capacity.”
He continued: “If we do not return to the people, it will manifest itself in a crisis similar to the Gaza crisis and we will be stuck”. (Video available here)
In some cases, a reluctance to support the Palestinian cause has swollen into outright opposition to Hamas.
Earlier this month, Iran’s Persian Gulf Pro League (PGPL) Perspolis-Golgohar football match in Azadi stadium in Tehran was tainted by tension between Pro-Hamas fans and their opponents. When flags of Palestine were hoisted, one group of fans responded by chanting: “Shove Palestine flag up your a**”.
During another game between Esteghlal and Hawadar on October 28 at the Azadi stadium, fans blew their horns and booed during a minute silence for the victims of the conflict.
The funeral of distinguished Iranian director, Dariush Mehrjui, was another public sphere that became a national scene where the two antagonist parties clashed. The managing director of Cinema House, Marzieh Boroumand, gave a speech during which she made remarks about fighting against Israel. She addressed authorities by saying: “Be good to us and we will fight against Israel and the Zionist regime”. She was booed by the audience who continued to chant : “No Gaza, No Lebanon, I sacrifice my life for Iran”.
Alef News, an online news station owned by Ahmad Tavakoli, a member of the Islamic Consultative Assembly (The Parliament), insisted however that protesters were a small group who had been sponsored by the “Zionist regime”.
Historically, slogans against supporting Gaza and Lebanon have been an integral part of protests against the regime in Iran. The slogan heard at the funeral is, in fact, a familiar call first coined during nationwide economic protests of 2017-2018. It was picked up by dissidents including workers from the national steel company; protesters in the city of Shiraz; and pensioners in the city of Ahwaz, and later spread all over the nation. In recent weeks, the call was heard again on various occasions including during protests in Zahedan province which recurs almost every Friday after mass prayers.
In response to this call, supporters of Hamas and Palestine respond in pro-Palestine rallies by chanting: “Both Gaza and Lebanon, I sacrifice my life for Islam”.
Some opposition leaders in Iran have also made a stance against dominant discourse in order to voice the perspectives of their followers. Public figures including Abdolhamid IsmaeelZahi, the most influential leader of the Sunni community in Iran, and Fatemeh Sepehri, political activist and a face of Mahsa Amini Protests, have been vocal about opposing the government’s policy in supporting Gaza and Hamas. During a recent sermon, Abdolhamid asked the regime to stop “pursuing (the idea of) destruction of Israel”. He added: “Cry out for the destruction of Israel is pointless”. Fatemeh Sepehri, outright condemned attacks by Hamas and said in a statement from prison: “Iranian people will stand with Israel”.
As defying displays of solidarity with Palestinians become more prevalent, state-run demonstrations have turn into festivals where food and refreshments are offered to attract attendees. In an event, free cucumbers were offered in return for the audience chanting “Down with Israel”.
Despite the opposition, a survey conducted by the Ministry of Culture and Guidance claims that more than 68 per cent of Iranians agree with the regime’s decision to support Palestine.
The Islamic leaders of Iran have linked themselves with the fortunes of Palestinians for decades. Khaled Qadoumi, the spokesman of Hamas in Iran, said recently: "Conventions to support the Palestinian people are as important as the rockets of the resistance."
While the physical fighting between Israel and Hamas remains relatively constrained regionally, the propaganda battle has already spread.
