Vahid Beheshti is a London-based Iranian human-rights activist, journalist and former regime prisoner who staged a 72-day hunger strike to press the United Kingdom to proscribe the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. In January 2024 he became the first Iranian opposition figure invited to address the Israeli Knesset, carrying the Iranian people's message of support for Israel — and days later, Iranians inside the country risked their lives to echo it from the bridges of Tehran.
The documented record
- 2 January 2024
Became the first Iranian opposition figure ever invited to address the Israeli Knesset, carrying the Iranian people's message of support for Israel to the Knesset Israel Victory Caucus.
The Jewish Chronicle - 2 January 2024
In his address he named the Iranian government “the elephant in the room” that Israel will have to confront rather than only its proxies, and told lawmakers that if they support the Iranian people, “we will all experience peace.”
JNS - 20 January 2024
After his five-day visit, Iranians inside Iran risked their lives to send messages of support to Israel — hanging a banner from a Tehran bridge that read “Vahid is our voice” and “we stand with Israel.”
The National
In their own words
If you support the Iranian people, you will see how they will lower the head of the octopus and we will all experience peace.
If the West were to launch such strikes, it would have the support of millions and millions of Iranians who, thirsty for freedom and democracy, have been waiting for such a moment.
Follow them live
These are daily-active voices — follow them where they publish.
Sources
- 1.Iran International — “Iranian Activist Vahid Beheshti To Appear At Israeli Knesset,” 2 Jan 2024
- 2.JNS — “Iranian opposition member to Knesset: ‘Do not fear to strike Iran,'” 3 Jan 2024
- 3.The Jerusalem Post — “Iranian opposition figure to arrive in Israel and speak at Knesset,” 2 Jan 2024
- 4.The National — “Support of daring Iranians inspires Vahid Beheshti to keep protesting,” 20 Jan 2024
- 5.The Jewish Chronicle — “Meet the Iranians who long for peace with Israel,” 1 Apr 2025