Imam Khomeini has beautiful legacy in differentiating Judaism from Zionism

Tehran, Qodsna - Rabbi Yisroel Dovid Weiss, head of Jews United Against Zionism, said in an exclusive interview with the Qods News Agency in Tehran on Sunday night on the sidelines of the International Conference on Imam Khomeini, Palestine and Islamic Awakening that Imam Khomeini and Ayatollah Khamenei speak up for Palestine.

The interview comes as follows:

Qodsna: What is Imam Khomeini’s legacy respecting the Palestinian cause?

Rabbi Weiss: Imam Khomeini was a very exemplary special person because he spoke against what the world was pushing, the world was accepting occupation and they were accepting that it’s a Jewish state. But Imam Khomeini stood up and he said we respect and protect the Jewish people and the Jewish religion. And he proved it because Jewish community is living in Iran today. So, he said I’m respecting and protecting Jewish people but we are totally against the Zionist regime, because he said this is evil and he is 100 percent right.

Imam Khomeini was very clear that he is not going to be silent and that even if the world vilifies him and the country of Iran, he is going to stand fast with Palestine. He showed to the world that it’s nothing to do with anti-Semitism. So, that’s why he was considered a danger for the state of Zionist Israel.

We as Jews from around the world due to Torah we respect him and we respect the Islamic Republic of Iran, both how they respect and protect the Jewish community in Iran and stand up fast against the occupation, clarifying for the world the difference between Judaism and Zionism. That’s a beautiful legacy. It is a legacy that is untarnished. And now especially in our time, students are standing up finally for Palestine. And thank God, Ayatollah Khamenei is also speaking up for them.

Qodsna: What is your take on Iran Leader’s recent letter to the Western students protesting against war on Gaza?

Rabbi Weiss: It is a beautiful letter. It’s very strong. It’s going to give a lot of strength to the students. Because now the students see how what the liars and false the Zionists and their supporters are.

They were fooled that Iran is evil but now their eyes are opened and they see how truthful is what Iran is saying. It certainly helps. Thousands and more Jewish students protest now.

Qodsna: What would be the future of Palestine and in particular Gaza?

Rabbi Weiss: We are sure the state of Israel will totally end. We should not be intimidated by the Zionist state, we go around the world to stand up with Palestinians as Jewish people. We should ask leaders that they should not accept the Zionist narratives.

It’s only the Zionism that makes the problem. World leaders should stop common sense to be insulted. Grassroot people should ask leaders to end the apartheid. The state of Israel will end; so, we pray to God to bring it immediately. And we plead with leaders around the world to speak up and help end occupation.