Being Jewish – and anti-Zionist – in Iran

JVL Introduction

The largest Jewish community in West Asia (Middle East) outside of Israel is in Iran. They (or certainly the majority) disapprove of the State of Israel and what it does, in common with most Iranians. This is a rare insight into life and opinions for Iranian Jews; life isn;t perfect but the “embattlement” referred to in the Guardian’s own title is not from the Iranian government or people but from Israel and the USA.

The US-Israel alliance against Iran completely destroyed an important synagogue in Tehran, which shows how little importance is given to the safety of Jews and Jewish institutions. Israel’s claims of it being “collateral damage” was roundly dismissed by Jewish people in Iran, many of whom think it shows that Israel does not care about them.

This is a small glimpse to a rarely reported part of life in Iran.

LL

This article was originally published by The Guardian on Wed 22 Apr 2026. Read the original here.