Netanyahu Rejects Rouhani's Claims of Israeli Interference in Iran Protests

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, rejected Hassan Rouhani's statements regarding Israeli interference in recent events in Iran, emphasizing the right of Iranian citizens to have a better situation. In a video message released on social media on Monday evening, January 1, he stated, "Today I became aware of Hassan Rouhani's claim that Israel is behind the protests in Iran; I completely deny this; it is a lie; even laughable." Netanyahu's comments came just hours after the Iranian President attributed the unrest in Iran to the United States and Israel. Protests by Iranians began on Thursday, December 28, in Mashhad and northeastern cities and quickly spread to dozens of other small and large cities in Iran, continuing despite casualties, injuries, and the suppression of protesters. In this context, the Iranian President said on Monday at a meeting of the heads of specialized commissions in the parliament that "our success in the world of politics and against the United States and the Zionist regime was unbearable for them; our success in the region was unbearable for them; do you want them not to take revenge? Do you want them not to provoke some people? We should have prepared ourselves for this story; they explicitly stated that we will bring this problem to Tehran, and they stated it clearly, not as our analysis." However, the Israeli Prime Minister responded by saying, "Unlike Rouhani, I do not belittle the Iranian people; Iranians have the right to a better situation than the current conditions; brave Iranians have taken to the streets in pursuit of justice and fundamental freedoms that have been taken from them for decades." Netanyahu also stated that "the oppressive Iranian regime spends tens of billions of dollars on spreading hatred; with this money, schools and hospitals could have been built in Iran; it is not surprising that parents have taken to the streets." He added, "The Iranian government fears its people; and out of fear, it imprisons students and blocks social media; but I am certain that this fear will not succeed; because the Iranian people are intelligent, advanced, and proud; these people risk everything for freedom." The Israeli Prime Minister also expressed regret over the silence of many European countries regarding the beating of brave Iranian youths in the streets of Iran, stating that their silence is unjust; however, he has no intention of remaining silent. Netanyahu also addressed the Iranian people, saying, "The Iranian regime desperately tries to create hatred between us; but it will not succeed; when this government eventually falls, and it will happen one day, Iranians and Israelis will once again be good friends; I wish success for the Iranian people who are nobly eager for freedom." Netanyahu's remarks on Monday evening were his first clear comments regarding the events in Iran. Haaretz reported on Saturday, December 30, that Netanyahu had asked his ministers to make "minimal comments" regarding the events in Iran. Nevertheless, Israel's ministers of intelligence, internal security, and regional cooperation had commented on the events in Iran. The Iranian and Israeli governments have had deep animosity towards each other for the past 38 years, and it seems they are pleased with events that weaken the opposing government. The Israeli Prime Minister has recently reiterated that "the Iranian regime will one day fall," and Iran has also stated that Israel "will not see the next 25 years." The Iranian government supports organizations that fight against Israel with the slogan "Death to Israel"; Israel, in turn, describes the ruling government in Iran as a "vital threat" to its existence, calling on the international community to impose sanctions and take a hard stance against Iran.