Iranian Shah’s son to visit Israel: ‘A democratic Iran would renew ties with Israel’

Israel is set to host Reza Pahlavi, the son of the former Iranian Shah, in a historic visit this week, making him the most senior Iranian personality to ever pay a public visit to Israel.

Intelligence Minister Gila Gamliel will host Reza Pahlavi who will participate in the official opening ceremony to mark Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remembrance Day.

According to a the Israeli government’s press release, the aim of the visit is to “create a bridge between Israel and the Iranian people, and express a joint opposition to the Ayatollah regime. The heir to the throne promotes discourse on the human rights situation in Iran and supports a democratic Iranian leadership.”

Pahlavi will also visit a desalination plant to learn about Israel’s water technologies “as a possible response to the collapsing water infrastructure in Iran” as well as pay a visit the to Western Wall and meet with the Baha’i community and members of the Jewish-Iranian community in Israel.

Pahlavi is also expected to denounce antisemitism and Holocaust denial by the Iranian regime and will expres “solidarity with the citizens of Israel in light of the attacks by terrorist organisations operating under the auspices of Iran.”

“I am honoured to host Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi and appreciate his brave decision to visit Israel for the first time. The Crown Prince symbolizes a leadership different from that of the Ayatollah regime, and champions values of peace and tolerance, in contrast to the extremists who rule Iran,” Gamliel said.

“Our nations have enjoyed good relations for thousands of years since the time of Queen Esther who thwarted the evil Haman’s plot to destroy the Jews in Persia. Today, we are taking the first step in rebuilding the relationship between our nations,” she added.

Pahlavi on his part said the Iranian people “aspire to a government that respects its heritage, with the preservation of human rights and respect for religious and cultural diversity, among other things, through the restoration of peaceful and friendly relations with Israel and Iran’s other neighbours.”

“Millions of my compatriots still remember living alongside their Jewish-Iranian friends and neighbours, before the Islamic Revolution tore the fabric of our society apart. They reject the regime’s murderous anti-Israel and antisemitic policies and long for cultural, scientific and economic exchanges with Israel. A democratic Iran will seek to renew its ties with Israel and our Arab neighbours. In my opinion, that day is closer than ever.”