Visit of Iranian Shah Reza Pahlavi’s Son, Following His Father’s Deposition, to Israel

Reza Pahlavi, the son of the former Iranian Shah who was overthrown in the 1979 Islamic revolution, will be visiting Israel this week. This is the first public visit to Israel by a high-ranking Iranian official. Israel and Iran used to have good relations when the Shah was in power, but their relationship turned sour after the revolution. Pahlavi’s visit is meant to create a connection between Israel and the Iranian people and show joint opposition to the current regime. Pahlavi believes that a democratic Iran will want to renew its relationship with Israel and its Arab neighbors. During his visit, he will participate in Israel’s Holocaust memorial ceremony.