Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s former Shah, traveled to Tel for a visit that highlights the once-warm relationship between King Mohamad Reza Pahlavi and Israel, despite the current hostility between Islamic Republic and Israel. The Israeli government declared hours before the arrival of Pahlavi, the former Crown Prince of Iran, that he is “the most senior personality” ever to publicly visit Israel. Israel and Iran enjoyed warmer relations during the era of the Shah, who was backed by the US. However, after the Shah was overthrown in the 1979 revolution, the countries became hostile toward each other. Israel stated that the purpose of Pahlavi’s visit is to create “a bridge between Israel and the Iranian people, and to express opposition to the Ayatollah regime.” “A democratic Iran will seek to renew its ties with Israel and our Arab neighbors,” Pahlavi was quoted as saying in an Israeli statement. “In my opinion, that day is closer than ever.”

“I want the people of Israel to know that the Islamic Republic does not represent the Iranian people,” Pahlavi said in a Twitter post before his visit. “The ancient bond between our people can be rekindled for the benefit of both nations. I’m going to Israel to play my role in building toward that brighter future.” Reza Pahlavi engaged Israeli water experts on ways to address the mismanagement of Iran’s natural resources and Israeli Intelligence Minister Gila Gamliel accompanied him to desalination plant to learn about Israel’s advanced water technologies. Pahlavi participated in Israel’s official ceremonies commemorating the Holocaust during his visit. He also met with representatives of Israelis of Iranian origin, as well as representatives of the Baha’i community. In another tweet, featuring a photograph of himself at the Western Wall, Pahlavi stated that “2,500 years ago, Cyrus the Great liberated the Jewish people from captivity and helped them rebuild their Temple in Jerusalem.” “It is with profound awe that I visit the Western Wall of that Temple and pray for the day when the good people of Iran and Israel can renew our historic friendship,” he said. Based in Washington, DC, Pahlavi has long pushed for Iran to transition from an extremist, theologically led, human rights-transgressing regime to a democratic government. He said that the time may be especially right to exert pressure toward this change. Pahlavi’s goal is to create a constitutional assembly by which Iranians can propose an alternative system of government, laws, and constitution, and then “go to the polls and by referendum ratify that proposed constitution.” “It goes without saying,” he continued, “that we can all imagine how different the future could be when Iranians are finally liberated and can also enjoy the same freedoms, and work together with those who have achieved it, and how important this alliance and partnership could be to bring about change. And I’m again here to explore how can we cooperate in helping the Iranian people in their campaign for freedom.” “I have never believed that any type of negotiation with this regime that cannot be trusted could be a guarantee, or, if you will, the safety mechanism on the gun. It has been, in my view, a waste of time. Investing in the alternative that the Iranian people represent is the quickest way to eliminate all threats. It’s not going to be a JCPOA 2.0 in my view,” he said in Tel Aviv.