The representative of the Iranian Jewish community at the parliament has described the relationship between the government of late President Ebrahim Raeisi and the Jewish community as “positive and constructive.”
Homayoon Sameh Yeh Najafabadi made the remarks in an exclusive interview with Press TV on Saturday.
“The relationship between the administration of President Raeisi with the Jewish community of Iran was very excellent and the cooperation between the administration and the Jewish community was very remarkable and the president had a very good relationship with the Jewish community in different sectors,” he said.
Najafabadi went on to say that during the term of President Raeisi, ”remarkable” support was provided for Jewish schools in Tehran that had various problems, adding that these problems have been solved through the cooperation and support provided by the government.
The lawmaker also noted that President Raeisi managed to prepare the ground for a Jewish charity hospital in Iran to resume its operation after it was forced to close following the coronavirus pandemic.
He further said the Jewish community received “remarkable funds” from the government for social, cultural and sports issues in Tehran and other cities across the country, adding that “President Raeisi will be remembered among the Jewish community.”
Najafabadi also stated that the Jewish community lives comfortably and peacefully with other groups of society in Iran, stressing that there is no sign of anti-Semitism in the country against members of the Jewish community and that they are respected by all government officials.
Raeisi died alongside his accompanying delegation, including Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, after their helicopter crashed in the Dizmar forest in East Azarbaijan Province on Sunday.
Following an hours-long search hampered by poor weather conditions, rescuers found the burnt-out wreckage of the helicopter and its passengers were confirmed dead.
Iranians in their millions gathered in various cities across the country to commemorate the martyrdom of the late president and his companions as part of ceremonies held following the Leader’s declaration of five-day national mourning over the tragic loss.
Dozens of world leaders, presidents, ambassadors and international personalities as well as high-profile figures of the Axis of Resistance have over the past days participated in ceremonies across Iran to pay homage to the martyrs.