What is the Jewish problem with Iran?

Answer 1

Jews have no problem with Iran as a country, per se. Jews have a very positive view of the Iranian people and Persian culture and actively sympathize with their repression under the current Islamic Republic regime. Additionally, many Jews in important Israeli positions are ethnically Persian, such as former President Moshe Katsav and former Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz. Jews do have issues with Iran's political positions and beliefs.

1) Holocaust Denial: First and foremost, Jews almost unanimously are revulsed by the Iranian government's support of Holocaust Denial. Regardless of what foreign policy Iran chooses with regards to Israel, there is no excuse for the active the support to deny the deaths of not only 6 million Jews but 5 million non-Jews.

2) Anti-Zionism: The Iranian government has taken a persistent attitude that the State of Israel should not exist and will be wiped from the pages of history. (Although, Iranian government apologists are always keen to point out that Iran does not state that it will do the wiping.) Iran has numerous anti-Israel marches and has all-but-criminalized "advocating Zionism" within its borders. Since most Jews see the State of Israel as an extension of their identity, the Iranian government hatred of Israel angers them.

3) Support of Islamist Militant Groups: In addition to repeated advocating Anti-Zionism in both speeches and funding, Iran provides direct military and funding support to violent paramilitary/terrorist organizations which have as their primary goal the Destruction of the State of Israel. Such groups notoriously include: Hezbollah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and others. Since Iran is literally paying groups whose goal is (and do) kill Jews, Jews are angry about Iran's activities.

4) Oversight of Jewish Culture in Iran: Within Iran, the Iranian government restricts and supervises Jewish activities. There are express limits on where and when synagogues can be built, all Jewish Religious Schools are required to have Shiite Muslim principals who can set the curriculum, and Jewish politicians are not allowed to speak about Israel unless they tow the government line. The "Principal Issue" is the most intrusive because this prevents the Jewish community from asserting any unique views by compelling the children to adopt "Shiite-acceptable views". For example, because of this, most Jewish Schools do not teach about repression of Jews under the Safavid and Qajar Imperial Periods because this would implicate Shiite Muslims in the mistreatment and abuse of Jews.

Answer 2

Please see the related link below for an excellent article on Iran Israel relations.