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Iranwire – Ordinary people are bearing the brunt of escalating tensions between the Islamic Republic and Israel.
“Fearing being labelled as spies, we gather information about the condition of children in Israel through various intermediaries.
“Even a simple greeting to friends and family must undergo several layers of obfuscation before reaching its intended recipient, ensuring that it remains unknown that you’re communicating with someone in Israel and avoiding detection.”
This message comes from an Iranian who, especially following the recent attack on Israel, sought to reach out to friends living there to inquire about their well-being.
In today’s climate, even the most innocuous gestures can result in serious accusations.
The IRGC has called the Islamic Republic’s attacks on Israel on April 13 effective, while Israel deems them ineffective.
Despite the political manoeuvring and rhetoric, people in both countries are gripped by worry at the sight of any sudden activity in the sky, fearing for the safety of their loved ones.
Iranian Jews, in particular, harbour heightened concerns for their fellow co-religionists worldwide.
Even when communication is possible, they must exercise utmost caution to avoid being ensnared in eavesdropping and facing false accusations from the Islamic Republic.
Before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Jews were considered among the few religious minorities in Iranian society, actively engaged, particularly in economic endeavours.
Perhaps the most renowned Iranian Jew, Habib Elghanian, owner of the Plasko building in Tehran, was executed by the Islamic Republic in the early days of the revolution.
Subsequently, many others faced accusations of espionage, leading to the confiscation of their property and forced emigration to European countries, Israel, and North America.
The scattered statistics of the Jewish population before the revolution differ from recent estimates.
Initially, there were roughly 80,000 to 100,000 Iranian Jews. Presently, estimates of the Jewish population in Iran vary widely across sources.
Some place it at 20,000 to 25,000, while official government sources, citing the national census, estimate it to be around 8,000 to 10,000.
Israel stands as a primary destination for Jewish Iranians seeking to live outside Iran, offering more favourable conditions for Jewish immigration.
Each year, a significant number of Jews immigrate there. However, their journey differs greatly. Immigrating to Israel means severing significant ties with relatives and friends in Iran.
Even limited communication, such as greetings, can subject individuals in Iran to grave charges, including “espionage for a hostile government.”
The strained relations between Iran and Israel have not only affected diplomatic ties but have also cast a shadow over the connections between Iranians living in both countries.
One such poignant tale involves two high school friends who once studied together in Tehran. After the revolution, one of them, who was Jewish, immigrated to Israel with his family.
Years later, they managed to reconnect through social media, but their initial contact was fraught with caution to avoid putting each other at risk.
Recalling their cautious approach, one of the friends told IranWire: “My brother coincidentally found our friend living outside Iran and informed me by phone. I had his page address. I saw his photo, but I hesitated to send him a message, fearing it might land him in trouble.”
Their first call was orchestrated through an intermediary to mitigate risks for both parties: “We set up a separate phone account for the call and conducted a video chat. My friend had to list his residence as elsewhere to avoid identification. All communications were handled through my brother. Those unfamiliar with our circumstances cannot grasp the level of sensitivity we face.”
Despite their eventual reunion, subsequent interactions were marred by internet disruptions, making communication risky.
Reflecting on their predicament, one of them lamented, “Following the Hamas attack on Israel, our greetings are relayed through intermediaries. I send a message to a friend abroad, who then relays it to my friend. We resort to this method for our daily exchanges, fearing stigma and accusations of espionage. If our situation is this precarious, one can only imagine the plight of those with relatives in Israel.”
Jewish Iranians, compelled to relocate in recent years, grapple with heightened anxiety when communicating with loved ones, navigating a delicate balance of accepting Israel’s policies to survive in Iran and mitigate societal pressures.
Whether Israeli citizens or residents in Iran, they empathize with friends trapped on the opposing side.
