WJC president gifts Iran's Pahlavi two Jerusalem stone mezuzot for future Israeli Tehran embassy

ByJAMES GENNJULY 26, 2026 18:48Updated: JULY 26, 2026 19:32World Jewish Congress Israel President Sylvan Adams met Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi in Paris on Sunday to discuss their shared vision for a free and democratic Iran, renewed relations between the Iranian and Jewish peoples, and the eventual restoration of diplomatic ties between Israel and a future democratic Iran."We are discussing the hope for the freedom and liberation of the Iranian people, who have suffered for many years and long for freedom," Adams said."I believe this will happen in the very near future. The entire Jewish people support your vision of a free, pluralistic, representative, and democratic Iran, and we will stand shoulder to shoulder with you," he told the crown prince.Pahlavi said the vision they discussed had deep historical roots."What we seek to achieve in the 21st century actually began 2,500 years ago," Pahlavi said. "Iran and Israel are the only two countries in the world that share a biblical connection."Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi (L) meets World Jewish Congress President Sylvan Adams in Paris, France, July 26, 2026. (credit: Leah Marciano)Pahlavi criticizes Trump's Iran policies?He added: "Thousands of Iranians have recently been killed. They did not die so that a strait would remain open or for the sake of a nuclear agreement. They died for freedom. We have always enjoyed the support of Jews around the world and of Israelis in Iran's struggle for freedom, and for that we are deeply grateful."This appears to be an implicit criticism from Pahlavi towards US President Donald Trump's policies towards Iran.Pahlavi said that once the current regime and the threat it poses are gone, Iran could be rebuilt with the assistance of the international community. He added that he would welcome Adams to Tehran to examine potential sites for future Israeli and Iranian embassies.Adams said he intends to travel to Tehran and identify a suitable property that could one day serve as Israel's embassy in a free Iran.World Jewish Congress President Adams presents Pahlavi with two Jerusalem stone mezuzot for Israel's future Tehran embassyAs a symbol of hope, Adams presented Pahlavi with two mezuzot carved from Jerusalem stone. The mezuzah cases contain scrolls handwritten by an Israeli sofer stam of Iranian descent, linking the gift to both Jerusalem and Iran.One mezuzah is intended for Israel's future embassy in Tehran, while the second is designated for a future Iranian embassy in Jerusalem."I am a real estate developer. That is how I built my livelihood," Adams said. "My hope is to arrive in Tehran very soon and find a property where Israel's embassy will be established. I brought two mezuzot, one that I hope we will affix together at Israel's embassy in Tehran, and the other that will be placed at Iran's embassy in Jerusalem."The two agreed to remain in contact and continue strengthening ties between the Iranian and Jewish peoples, expressing hope for a future of freedom, peace, and renewed relations between Iran and Israel.The meeting was presented by the participants as the beginning of ongoing cooperation aimed at ensuring that when the Iranian people regain their freedom, the foundations for rebuilding relations with Israel will already be in place, paving the way for a new era of peace, cooperation, and shared prosperity.Idan Kweller contributed to this report.Follow us on Google