Iranian Jews Reveal Fear and Persecution Despite Public Support for Regime

Leaders of Iran's Jewish community publicly express loyalty to Tehran's regime, with one recently calling for the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. However, behind these official statements lies a starkly different reality, according to a British Jewish Chronicle investigation based on testimonies from Jews living in Iran. They describe constant fear, surveillance, job losses, business sabotage, and restrictions severely impacting their lives.

Following the 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran, Iran's Chief Rabbi publicly supported Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was reportedly killed in a recent Israeli attack, condemning Israel and Zionism. Yet, Iranian Jews interviewed by the Jewish Chronicle say these declarations are made under heavy government pressure. A young Jewish entrepreneur named Leah said the community hates the regime like everyone else and that her family participated in anti-government protests despite risks of being accused of spying for Israel.

A Tehran Jew using the pseudonym Jalil reported increased pressure since regional tensions escalated, including vandalism of his shop with anti-Zionist graffiti likely by regime supporters. Five Iranian Jews told the Chronicle they lost jobs in the past year in both public and private sectors. One, "Yaakov," was interrogated by the internal security unit Harasat, questioned about relatives in Israel, and pressured to post anti-Israel content online; after refusing, he was fired and unable to find other work.

Jewish children also face pressure, with one mother, "Roya," saying her children are forced to participate in pro-regime activities at school, including burning Israeli flags and chanting slogans against Israel. Interviewees repeatedly referenced Habib Elghanian, a Jewish businessman executed shortly after the 1979 revolution on charges of Zionist ties, as a symbol of the community's historical vulnerability. They said his fate is recalled whenever pressure intensifies.

This investigation reveals the gap between the public facade of Jewish loyalty to Iran’s regime and the harsh realities of fear, repression, and discrimination faced by the community behind closed doors.