Zarif-Netanyahu debate on social media

*Source:* Al-Nahar Al-Arabi Newspaper by Amir Dabiri Mehr

After Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, sent two messages to the people of Iran in the past month amid increasing military tensions with Iran, he attempted to direct Israeli hostility toward the Islamic Republic rather than the Iranian people. In a similar move, Mohammad Javad Zarif, the strategic deputy to the President of Iran, issued a seven-minute video message inviting Jews worldwide to stand against the Israeli government, stating that Zionists act contrary to the Ten Commandments of Prophet Moses.

The Ten Commandments are verses from the Torah that were revealed to Prophet Moses on Mount Sinai, containing divine instructions also referenced in the Gospel and the Quran. Belief in one God, respect for parents, and avoidance of murder, theft, lying, adultery, and coveting others' property and honor are among the most important of these commandments.

Zarif claimed that Zionists, contrary to the Ten Commandments of Moses, worship power instead of God and are responsible for racism, discrimination, and spreading hatred, committing genocide against both Jews and non-Jews. He urged Jews worldwide to liberate the Abrahamic traditions of Judaism from distortion, forgery, discrimination, and the genocidal actions of Zionists. Zarif described the Zionist regime as a manifestation of Nazism and fascism that exploits the memory, name, blood, and lives of Holocaust victims from World War II.

Since the Islamic Republic of Iran does not recognize the state of Israel, Zarif did not mention the Israeli government or its officials by name, referring to Israeli politicians as Zionists instead.

Zarif's actions are framed within public diplomacy aimed at influencing global public opinion. The main tools of public diplomacy include the dissemination of text, images, and the use of social media platforms.

This message from Zarif was released at a time when his opponents in the Iranian parliament were actively seeking his dismissal. Critics argue that since Zarif's children hold U.S. citizenship, he should not occupy the important and sensitive position of strategic deputy to the president. A request for his dismissal was expected to be presented in parliament, which faced opposition from Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament. Qalibaf's decision also met with severe backlash from hardliners in social media.

On the other hand, Zarif's message in English received widespread support from his supporters and those backing the government of Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf. His supporters argue that Zarif's few minutes of messaging against the Zionists have a far greater impact than the slogans of his opponents against Israel because Zarif understands the language of the world and can effectively use media tools. Some social media users labeled Zarif's political opponents as unwitting allies of Netanyahu, claiming that by opposing Zarif, they are harming Tel Aviv. Others believe that the intense opposition to Zarif is not merely due to his positions but rather a vendetta stemming from his role in the recent electoral victory of Masoud Pezeshkian, which has upset and angered his opponents. Zarif's supporters have created a wave of support for him online using the hashtag #ZarifIsn’tAlone, calling him a true patriot.

It seems that through such messages, Zarif not only showcases his influence over public opinion but also seeks to attract the attention of Ayatollah Khamenei to survive the pressures, threats, and actions of his opponents and continue his work as the strategic deputy to the president. However, it is highly unlikely that Zarif's sworn enemies in Iran will relent soon and remove him from their targets.