[Dr. Aaron Lerner - IMRA: When the Association of Iranian Jews sends a
message that includes the line "In obedience to the instructions of Jesus"
one can only wonder if this is a desperate attempt to send a message to the
world that they are being forced to issue the statement.]

Iranian Jews ready to defend national interests
Tehran, April 1, IRNA - Iran news agency
www2.irna.com/en/news/view/menu-234/0704014039125858.htm

The Association of Iranian Jews here on Sunday renewed its commitment to
defend the national interests of Iranians with the advent of the Iranian new
year (1386), which the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution declared to
be year of "national unity and Islamic solidarity."

The association renewed its commitment in a message issued on the threshold
of the Jewish religious festival of the Passover, which starts Monday night.

"In obedience to the instructions of Jesus, in the new Iranian year, which
has been declared year of national unity and Islamic solidarity, Iranian
Jews voice their readiness to defend all national interests of Iranians and
to observe the guidelines set by Supreme Leader (Ayatollah Seyed Ali
Khamenei) for the sake of strengthening national unity and solidarity in the
fight against present-day pharaohs," the message said.

It further said that Iranian Jews gave significance to the remarkable
coincidence of the Passover festival with the advent of the Iranian new
year.

Pesach (Passover) begins on the night of the 15th day of the month of
Nissan. This annual Jewish festival celebrates the escape of Jews from the
slaughter of the first-born in Egypt.