Israel will welcome a surprising visitor over Holocaust Remembrance Day, Tuesday: Reza Pahlavi, the son of the deposed Iranian Shah. In a statement released by his office, Pahlavi expressed friendship towards Israel and condemned the current Iranian regime, which he says is not supported by the Iranian people. During his visit, Pahlavi will meet with Israeli water experts on correct utilization of Iranian resources, meet Israeli-Iranian Jews, and pay a visit to Yad Vashem to commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Although Iran is now the world’s foremost state sponsor of terrorism, before the Iranian revolution in 1979, Iran was the only country in the Middle East to have diplomatic relations with Israel. Iran was also home to tens of thousands of Jews, most of whom now live in Israel. The timing of Pahlovi’s visit is significant, falling both over Holocaust Remembrance Day and only a week after Iranian-backed terror organizations shot dozens of rockets into Israel’s north and south regions. Pahlovi presents a vision of a future democratic Iran, which will once again be a productive partner to Israel.

Let’s offer thanks for steps towards reconciliation! Please pray for a productive visit. Please also pray that democracy will return to Iran, for the sake not only of the Iranian people, but also of Israel.