In a significant message during the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett addressed the Iranian people directly. In a video translated into Persian, Bennett urged Iranians to rise up against their government, which he described as oppressive and corrupt. He emphasized that Israel’s fight is not against the Iranian people but against the regime that has ruled them harshly.
Bennett made these remarks while speaking from Bat Yam, a city in Israel that has recently suffered damage from military actions. He acknowledged the hardships faced by civilians in both countries. "We don’t want to hit civilians; we respect you," he stated. He encouraged Iranians to seize the moment, asking, "If not now, when?" He expressed that there would never be a better time to challenge their government.
The former Prime Minister highlighted that Israel is engaged in a battle with the Iranian regime and its nuclear ambitions, not with the Iranian populace. He reassured the Iranian people of Israel’s respect for them and called on them to act against their rulers, promising that Israel would support them in their efforts.
Bennett’s message comes against a backdrop of historical tension between Iran and Israel, particularly since the Islamic Revolution of 1979, which marked a shift from previously good relations to deep animosity. He pointed out that Iran has been a vocal opponent of Israel, even objecting to a United Nations resolution that condemned Holocaust denial.
This appeal to the Iranian people reflects a broader context of Israel’s ongoing security concerns and the desire for change in Iran’s political landscape. Bennett’s message was a call to action, urging Iranians to take control of their future and seek a government that respects their rights and freedoms.