(JTA) — Iranian Jews holding Torah scrolls demonstrated in Tehran in support of Iran’s nuclear program.
Demonstrators, who also held signs in English, Hebrew and Farsi, rallied Tuesday in front of the United Nations office in Tehran, according to The Jerusalem Post. They denounced Zionism and threw their support behind the country’s nuclear talks negotiating team.
The rally was held a day before the resumption in Geneva of negotiations between Iran and world powers over Iran’s suspected nuclear weapons program.
Also in advance of the meetings, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday announced in broadcast remarks that his country wants friendly ties with the world community, including the United States, but that Israel is “doomed to extinction.”
He said France, which has taken a hard-line stance during the negotiations, is “not only succumbing to the United States, but they are kneeling before the Israeli regime.”
Israel has objected fiercely to the current deal reported to be on the table, under which crippling sanctions on Iran would be eased if it stops enriching uranium to more than a minimum percentage.
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