JERUSALEM: The exiled son of the Iranian Shah toppled in the 1979 Islamic revolution will visit Israel this week, Israel’s government said on Sunday, calling him the “most senior Iranian personality” to ever pay a public visit to Israel.
Israel and Iran enjoyed warmer ties under the US-backed Shah, though they have become enemies since.
Israel, in its statement, said the visit by Reza Pahlavi is meant to create “a bridge between Israel and the Iranian people, and expressing joint opposition to the Ayatollah regime.”
I am traveling to Israel to deliver a message of friendship from the Iranian people, engage Israeli water experts on ways to address the regime’s abuse of Iran’s natural resources and pay respects to the victims of the Holocaust on Yom HaShoah.
I want the people of Israel to… pic.twitter.com/wyzlqqm9A2
— Reza Pahlavi (@PahlaviReza) April 16, 2023
A democratic Iran will seek to renew its ties with Israel and our Arab neighbours,” Pahlavi was quoted as saying in the the Israeli statement. “In my opinion, that day is closer than ever.”
During his visit Pahlavi will take part in Israel’s official Holocaust memorial ceremony.
