Iranian Refugee Who Supports Israel Granted Temporary Residency in Israel

Israel has granted a temporary residency permit to Ramin Persa, an Iranian national who has actively supported Israel and is married to an Israeli citizen. The decision was made by Boaz Yosef, the Director General of the Population and Immigration Authority, and the permit will be valid for one year, after which his case will be reviewed again. Persa, who fled Iran as a teenager after experiencing torture under the ayatollah regime, was recognized as a refugee by the U.S. in 2006 and became a U.S. citizen in 2014. In the U.S., he began giving lectures explaining his transition from Islam to supporting Israel and engaging in public advocacy. He met his wife, Yasmin, an Israeli, online, and they married in California in 2020 before moving to Israel. The couple now has a two-year-old son and is expecting another child.

Persa faced significant hurdles in obtaining legal status in Israel, with authorities initially denying his application due to his Iranian origin, a country considered hostile by Israel. This lack of status prevented him from working legally and accessing basic rights. His legal team, Tomer Warsha and Asaf Weitzen, pursued the case through the Jerusalem District Court, but the Population and Immigration Authority rejected the request again, leading to further appeals.

Approximately three weeks ago, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee intervened, personally familiar with the couple. In a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Huckabee highlighted Persa's pro-Israel advocacy, the importance of his voice against the Iranian threat, and the family's humanitarian circumstances. The ambassador's letter was submitted as part of the case, after which Persa was granted temporary status, a step towards applying for permanent residency. Persa expressed relief and hope, stating his desire to build a life in Israel with his family, serve the country, and contribute to its development, drawing a parallel to the biblical story of Ruth. He told N12, "Like Ruth in the Bible, I too say, 'Your people are my people, and your God is my God.'"