Benjamin, who has been living in London for four years, said he thinks Israelis “are lovely people”.
After years of feeling isolated in their struggles against the regime, he claimed the Iranian Diaspora “now have hope because finally others like [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump] have come to rescue us. They have come to help the Iranian people”.
“We know at the end of the day, we have to change the regime ourselves - but they can help us - they can destroy the [IRGC] bases and then the people of Iran can go to the streets and take back the country,” he added.
A cake was made to say thank you to Israel (Courtesy)[Missing Credit]
Benjamin’s mother was shot and injured by the IRGC several years ago, but he told us that she is still protesting today.
His sister also still lives in Iran and, when the internet was cut in early January, he lost contact with her. "The last thing my sister said to me was ‘If the internet comes back and you find out I have died, I want you to know I died happy, because I know afterwards, our country will be free again’. That is the mindset of people in Iran.
“It is a really hard time because bombs are falling, but they know that after the bombs, the freedom is coming.”
Neta, who co-owns Bracha with his business partner Aviv, told the JC why they decided to host the party. “We want to spread the love with the Persian people... We want to share the light... We are so excited about what is to come.
“We wish Iranian people lots of love and freedom and health and all the good stuff.
“It seems like it could be the start of a new era for this world – and hopefully it will be a better place. We are hopeful for the future.”
Even the dog joined in with the celebrations (Courtesy)[Missing Credit]
A cake had been made by an Iranian named Pani as a thank you not just to Bracha for hosting the event, but to Israel. With blue and white icing, the cake was made to look like the Israeli flag, and was decorated with a picture of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Iranian activist Lily Moo, who has spoken weekly at dissident protests in London since they began last December, also attended. She told the JC: “Iranians see the war as a rescue mission both by the Israelis and the Americans.
“Civilians in Iran are rejoicing at the fact that Khameini is gone.”
Gina, one of the Jews who attended to show their solidarity with Iranians’ struggle against the regime, added: “I am elated. The Iranian people have been suffering and being oppressed for a long time. It is time for someone to set them free. They have been our friends for 3,000 years.”
She said she is hopeful that the joint Israeli-US operation would be successful and the Islamic Republic will fall.
“The Iranians need to find their feet again and go for democratic elections and elect who they want to represent them. I have no doubt the Iranian people are going to surface as very good friends to Israel again.”
Another Jewish attendee, Nizza, told the JC she was at the party to support her Iranian “brothers and sisters”.
"Freedom is the most important thing in life, and they have not been free for 47 years,” she said. “I am celebrating this newfound hope of their freedom.”
All individuals featured in this report have been identified by their first names only due to safety fears among Iranian dissidents.
