Israel issued a statement disagreeing with the recent decision of U.S. State Department to offer condolences to the Islamic Republic of Iran for the recent death of its President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash. The statement came during a time of recent tensions between Washington and Jerusalem over the war between Israel and Hamas.
Israeli government spokesman David Mencier said this week that Israel did not “express our condolences” following the crash.
Iran launched a barrage of hundreds of missiles and drones against Israel last month.
The spokesperson cited statements by Iranian officials calling for the destruction of Israel.
“There are no tears in Israel being shed for the death of this tyrant,” said Mencier. “Any of these sort of fake expressions of regret about what has happened to these Iranian leaders — it turns our stomach, to be blunt.”
Israel ambassador to the UN:
“What a disgrace that the UN Security Council observed a moment of silence for mass murderer Iranian President Raisi! What’s next? A moment of silence on the anniversary of Hitler's death?”
Could be. Defund the UN! pic.twitter.com/KunBAShR3w
— (((IsraelMatzav))) (@IsraelMatzav) May 21, 2024
“The United States expresses its official condolences for the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian and other members of their delegation in a helicopter crash in northwest Iran. As Iran selects a new president, we reaffirm our support for the Iranian people and their struggle for human rights and fundamental freedoms,” the U.S. State Department said after Raisi’s death.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken told members of Congress that such a statement was the “normal course of business.”
Despite early statements supporting Israel following the Oct. 7 attacks, President Joe Biden has taken another path in recent months.
The president has been under significant political pressure due to the current conflict. Polls have shown that some groups of voters, such as young people and Muslim Americans are far less supportive of the United States’ role in the Middle East.
Recent polls show that the conflict between Israel and the terrorist group Hamas could have an impact on the 2024 election. States with small but significant Muslim American or Arab American populations such as Michigan and Minnesota could turn against the president. Biden’s approval rating among Muslim Americans has fallen significantly since last October and the current war.
