Between the Hammer and the Anvil: The Life of the Jewish Community in Iran

The Jewish community in Iran enjoys full religious and occupational freedom, including synagogues, educational institutions, and a representative in parliament, but these freedoms are granted in exchange for public support of the regime. Dr. Tamar Eilam Gindin, an Iran expert from the University of Haifa, explains that the community presents itself as Jewish Iranians, and emphasizes their status as hostages of the government. The war and tension with Israel could harm their status.

The Jewish community in Iran leads a vibrant life with synagogues, educational institutions, and even a representative in parliament, and it receives full religious and occupational freedom. However, these freedoms do not come for free: they are granted in exchange for public support of the regime, which exploits the community to prove it is not anti-Semitic. Dr. Tamar Eilam Gindin, an Iran expert from the University of Haifa, explains that the community presents itself as Jewish Iranians, not as Iranian Jews, and emphasizes their loyalty to Iran. According to her, the Jews of Iran are "hostages of the government," and the freedoms granted to them are used by the regime for propaganda. The war and tension with Israel in recent years could harm their status.