Are the Iranian people in agreement with the mission of "the destruction of Israel"? | 8 October 2023

There is no doubt that yesterday's operation by the Palestinians shook Israel. There is no doubt that the precise and complex planning, the scale, and success of Hamas and Islamic Jihad's operation stunned not only seven million Israelis but the world. There is also no doubt that, from a military standpoint, Israel's situation during yesterday's operation can be called nothing but a defeat. Furthermore, Israel has not experienced such a defeat or casualties in a single day in the 75 years since its founding.

But the essential question is, what positive outcomes does the success of the Palestinians (if it turns out that yesterday's operation yields long-term success for them) and, conversely, the defeat of the Israelis, bring for Iran's national interests? Apart from dragging Iran further into the historical and never-ending Arab-Israeli conflict, is there any other conceivable outcome for us? The spokesperson for Hamas explicitly thanked Iran yesterday for its support. Interestingly, he did not mention any other country, including a dozen Arab nations, but expressed gratitude toward Iran. Doesn’t this set the stage for Israel's retaliation against Iran? If, as a result of yesterday's operation, Israel launches a military attack on Iran, will the world condemn it? Or, as the revolutionaries in Iran imagine, will it present a historic opportunity for them to destroy Israel?

For over a decade, I have been asking this simple question: "Who has assigned the mission of destroying Israel to the Islamic Republic of Iran?" Putting a referendum aside, let’s conduct a simple public opinion survey and ask our people, "Do you agree with Iran destroying Israel or not?" If the majority responds, "Yes, we strongly want the regime to destroy Israel," then go ahead—continue with the hostile policy against Israel. Prioritize fighting Israel over providing bread, water, health, and education for the people. But if the majority of the Iranian people say, "We are not in favor of destroying Israel or military involvement in other countries," then what happens next?

Sadegh Zibakalam