How Shia Ideologies Fuel Hatred of Israel (video, 4:13)
Compiled by Aidan New
Iran’s antisemitic rhetoric is deeply rooted in Shia-specific Muslim ideologies that portray Jews and the State of Israel as enemies and embrace the idea that the ritual uncleanliness of Jews dirties the entire world. Zionism is seen as the culmination of a Jewish war against Islam dating to the time of Muhammad and the Western war to dominate the Middle East. Israel’s existence poses a theological problem for an ideology that views Jews as inferior and doomed. Iran’s political motives and desire to lead the Muslim world, especially in the Middle East, also heavily influence the antisemitic narrative. The combination of this hateful rhetoric and the Islamist regime’s political agenda makes Israel the focus of Iran’s military and foreign policy.
Shia Views Drive Iranian Perception of Israel
Tracing back to the time of Muhammad, Shia ideology asserts that the Jewish people are ritually unclean. Islamist ideology teaches of an ongoing Jewish war against Islam. Ayatollah Khomeini, the first post-Shah Supreme Leader of Iran, used this rhetoric to fuel hostility toward Israel and the West.
- Ayatollah Khomeini brought anti-Jewish rhetoric to the forefront in Iran, making it a cornerstone of his regime. Learn more about who Ayatollah Khomeini was and his influence on Iran’s political and religious landscape: https://israeled.org/khomeini-returns-iran/
- Background on Shia ideologies that fuel hatred towards Israel: https://israeled.org/iran-the-jewish-people-and-israel-scott-abramson/
Zionism Is Seen as Integral to Western Imperialism
Iran views Zionism as a Western instrument implanted in the Middle East to dominate and divide Muslims. As the self-proclaimed leader of the Muslim world, Iran believes it has the duty to eradicate Zionism and any Jewish presence in the region.
- Ayatollah Khamenei, the current Supreme Leader of Iran, furthered Khomeini’s hatred toward Israel and the Jewish people. See an example in this October 2024 sermon: https://israeled.org/resources/documents/ali-khamenei-supreme-leader-of-iran-friday-sermon/
These Ideologies Have Influenced Global Perceptions of Israel and Jews
Shia ideology and Iran’s hateful rhetoric have manifested around the world. Protests call for the destruction of the Jewish state and the Jewish people while promoting antisemitic sentiments. Examples of these hateful protests since Oct. 7, 2023:
- Anti-Israel march in Washington, November 2023: https://www.adl.org/resources/blog/anti-israel-march-dc-explicit-expressions-support-terror-and-antisemitism
- Pro-Palestinian demonstration in London, November 2023: https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-771890
Conclusion
Understanding the connections between Shia ideology and the Iranian regime’s hatred toward Israel provides essential context to the hostility between the countries. The Iranian regime’s interpretation of Shia ideology portrays Israel as an illegitimate and oppressive state. Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran has been committed to eradicating any presence of Israel and the Jewish people in the Middle East.