Peres appeals to Iranian people

"On the eve of the new year, I appeal to the noble Iranian people on behalf of the ancient Jewish people and urge them to reclaim their worthy place among the nations of the enlightened world," said President Shimon Peres in a special address broadcast on Israel Radio in Farsi ahead of the Iranian holiday Nowruz, that symbolizes the start of spring and a new year.

"Our ties with the Iranian people have known days of prosperity even in these modern times, when we shared with you our experience in agriculture, scientific and medical developments and we worked to develop the best of ties with you," Peres recalled.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3689602,00.html

I wonder if this a regular or first-time occurrence?

And did Israel follow America's lead here or vice versa (or neither)?

would be a more accurate headline

It seems like they are both sending the same or similar messages.

I thought maybe they coordinated it.

peres' message is alternately threatening and incredibly hypocritical in a way that i seriously doubt obamas was.

Excerpt from Obama's message:

"You, too, have a choice. The United States wants the Islamic Republic of Iran to take its rightful place in the community of nations," Obama said. "You have that right, but it comes with real responsibilities, and that place cannot be reached through terror or arms, but rather through peaceful actions that demonstrate the true greatness of the Iranian people and civilization."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090320/ap_on_go_pr_wh/obama_iran

Seems very similar to the message of Peres.

peres was at best condescending, at worse it was just more of the same bluster we have heard from israel's leaders for years now.

What do you feel makes his remarks so different from those of Peres?

They both seem to be calling on the people of Iran to encourage their leaders to make some changes.

peres is hypocritical and condescending. obama was not.

X

Notwithstanding his Presidency (a virtually superficial position) during the most recent assault on Gaza, Peres commanded the war against Iran's closest allies (dubbed "Grapes of Wrath", reference the Qana massacre in the midst of this aggression), and Israel in general had cooperated with SAVAK and the Pahlavi dictator for decades. Obama for his part presides over what remains one of the most arrogant and aggressive nations currently existing. Neither have any right or legitimacy to dictate to others how they should be acting, particularly while their own current behavior betrays every part and parcel of the principles they presume to lecture others about.

Obama's, that is. Iran Welcomes Obama’s Overture :shrug:

When was the last time an Israeli pol had anything but menacing contempt for Persian culture?

imagine an israeli calling out another country for their corruption! how many of israel's leaders are currently in corruption trouble?

Anyone with small children can easily see through Israel's little games.

is referring to the days of the Shah, when Israel and Iran were both American allies, united in their mistrust of the Saudis.

Somehow, I don't think that bringing the Shah into the conversation is going to have a very positive effect on the Iranian people.

Seems just a reference to the last time he visited the country as he would not have been welcome since then.

That things are bad now does not mean that the Shah was good for Iran.