This is a guest post by ganselmi.
In an earlier post, Ben highlighted my comment on the nature of the Iranian regime. I have to say: I wish I could reveal my real name the way Ben and the other Z Word bloggers can. But the very fact that I — like most other dissident bloggers within and outside Iran — have to be so careful in dealing with the IRI is itself a testament to just how dangerous this regime is. Which is why I wish some of our friends on the left weren’t so singularly devoted to condemning the US and Israel as to delude themselves about the openly-declared aims and intentions of Khamenei, Ahmadinejad et al. But I also want to say something else.
I wish that supporters of Israel were more nuanced in their approach to Iran. Too often they make the same mistakes as the IRI apologists in conflating the people and government of Iran. The people of Iran are natural allies of the US and Israel — despite the mind-boggling amount of anti-American and antisemitic propaganda that the regime subjects them to on a daily basis. After all, Persians and Jews have a friendship spanning some 2,500 years! And while this relationship has not always been perfect, Jews around the world have to recognize that the Iranian regime’s vile, fascistic antisemitism is an aberration and not a true reflection of the “Persian spirit.”
So as difficult a task as it is, Israel and its supporters would benefit from making serious, concerted efforts towards reaching out to the people of Iran even as they take steps to deter the regime.
ganselmi: first, happy Noruz! — once upon a time, when I was MUCH younger, I knew how to say that more appropriately in Farsi, but age does take its toll…
What I wanted to ask you: what do you have in mind when you want to see “serious, concerted efforts towards reaching out to the people of Iran”? Could you give any specific examples?
“After all, Persians and Jews have a friendship spanning some 2,500 years! And while this relationship has not always been perfect, Jews around the world have to recognize that the Iranian regime’s vile, fascistic antisemitism is an aberration and not a true reflection of the “Persian spirit.””
I have never been to Iran but have found most Iranians/Persians here in the U.S. to be very warm and open people. Neither fascist nor anti-Semitic.
Like Petra, I am interested in what you think we can do to assist you and others struggling for freedom and liberty.
Be safe.
Petra,
Thank you for the kind Noruz message! In case you’re still interested in extend new year greetings in Persian you could use “Eid-e shomaa mubaarak” (the phrase Pres. Obama used in his video this morning) or you could use “Noruzetaan Piruz.”
I think you asked a great question. I think the very best way that Israel and her supporters in the US and Europe can reach out to the Iranian people is by focusing on issues other than just the nuclear dossier.
Don’t get me wrong: we have every reason to worry about Iran’s nuclear activities. I for one am convinced that the Messianic segment of the IRI elite, of which Ahmadinejad is but one member, truly believes that they should do everything they can to hasten the return of the hidden, 12th Imam of Shi’a Islam by wreaking havoc for the “Jews and Crusaders.”
All that said, I feel like ever since the nuclear emerged, those who’ve traditionally been willing to confront the IRI have lost sight everything but the dossier. We don’t hear nearly as much as we should about issues like democratization, secularization, women’s rights, the plight of LGBT people in Iran, the oppression of students and workers, etc. etc. ad infinitum. This is all very unfortunate because empowering the Iranian people could be the easiest lever to push for the West to make serious gains towards its security concerns as well.
What do you think Petra? Does this resonate with you?
What Peres really told the Iranians
http://forecasthighs.com/2009/03/23/what-peres-really-told-the-iranian-people/