War and Peace: The Jerusalem mezuzah waiting for the Israeli embassy in Iran
Amid ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran, a meeting took place in Paris between Sylvan Adams, President of the World Jewish Congress in Israel, and exiled Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi. The two discussed a vision for a free and democratic Iran and the potential for restoring diplomatic relations following a regime change.
Amid ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran, an unusual meeting took place in Paris between the President of the World Jewish Congress in Israel, Sylvan Adams, and the exiled Iranian Crown Prince, Reza Pahlavi. The two discussed the vision for a free and democratic Iran, the restoration of relations between the Iranian and Jewish peoples, and the possibility of renewing diplomatic relations between Israel and Iran following a regime change.
During the meeting, they discussed the historical connection between the two peoples, the support of Jewish communities worldwide for the struggle of Iranian citizens for freedom, and the future after the fall of the regime.
"We are discussing the hope for the freedom and liberation of the Iranian people, who have suffered for many long years and are thirsty for freedom," said Adams. "I believe this will happen in the very near future. The entire Jewish people support your vision for a free, pluralistic, representative, and democratic Iran, and we will stand by your side shoulder to shoulder."
Pahlavi replied: "What we are seeking to achieve in the 21st century actually began 2,500 years ago. Iran and Israel are the only two countries in the world that have a biblical connection."
Adams: "Intend to find a property where the Israeli embassy will be established in Tehran"
The Crown Prince also addressed the internal struggle in Iran: "Thousands of Iranians have been killed recently. They did not die so that a strait would remain open or for the sake of a nuclear deal — they died for freedom. We have always enjoyed the support of Jews around the world and of Israelis in the struggle for Iran's freedom, and for that we are grateful."
According to him, after the current regime falls and the threat it poses is removed, it will be possible to rehabilitate Iran with the assistance of the international community. He invited Adams to visit Tehran in the future and examine together locations for the future embassies of the two countries.
As a symbolic gesture, Adams presented Pahlavi with two mezuzahs made of Jerusalem stone. The scrolls were written by an Israeli scribe of Iranian descent, with the goal of combining Jerusalem and Iranian heritage. One of the mezuzahs is intended for the future Israeli embassy in Tehran, and the second for the future Iranian embassy in Jerusalem.
"I am a real estate man, that is how I built my livelihood," said Adams. "My hope is to arrive very soon in Tehran, to find a property where the Israeli embassy will be established. I brought two mezuzahs — one that I hope we will affix together at the Israeli embassy in Tehran, and the second will be placed at the Iranian embassy in Jerusalem."
Aspiration for the day when Iran will renew relations with Israel
At the end of the meeting, the two agreed to stay in touch and work to strengthen relations between the Iranian and Jewish peoples, aspiring to the day when Iran will be a free and democratic country. According to them, the goal of the cooperation is to lay the foundations now for a new era of peace, cooperation, and shared prosperity between the two countries.
