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Original poster

To be disgusted that Iranian dissidents are being branded "filthy Zionists" in London rally

137 replies

Twiglets1 · 03/02/2026 07:18

The Jewish Chronicle reports that a pro-Palestine mob branded Iranian dissidents “filthy Zionists” at a rally in London on Saturday.

Thousands marched through the capital in support of Palestine, with some brandishing placards bearing images of Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei and the words "the right side of history".

The Iranian regime has killed thousands of Iranian protesters in recent weeks, with the death toll exceeding 30,000, according to some estimates.

A counter-demonstration organised by pro-Israel campaign group Stop the Hate was stationed at the junction of Kingsway and Aldwych Street, where a large screen had been put up. Footage of torture carried out by Hamas and of the Islamic Republic Guards Corp (IRGC) attacking protesting Iranians played on the screen. Stop the Hate said it aimed to highlight how the "silence" of Saturday’s protesters when it came to Iran’s brutal crackdown.

A banner held by one pro-Palestinian demonstrator targeted Iranians who want the exiled Crown Prince of Iran, Reza Pahlavi, to return to replace the ayatollah. It read: "Pahlavi-supporting Iranians who stand alongside the Israeli flag are just filthy Zionists."

Another demonstrator called on the Home Office to "deproscribe Hezbollah and Hamas", while several banners read "Globalise the intifada" – an arrestable offence in Greater London.

One protester, who did not want to give his name, told the JC of his belief in the need for Palestinian "resistance" and attempted to justify the atrocities of October 7 by saying "Hamas didn't have a choice", adding that "Israel should have never existed in the first place."

https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/pro-palestinian-protesters-brand-iranian-dissidents-filthy-zionists-rbbad30f

OP posts:
dairydebris · 03/02/2026 17:25

noblegiraffe · 03/02/2026 17:21

"Zionist Entity" is also in reasonably common usage among more rabid pro-Palestinian protestors to avoid the suggestion of Israel being a legitimate state. I've seen it used on MN a few times.

It is interesting to hear where they are getting their rhetoric from. Useful idiots indeed.

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Yep. Often wonder if they have any idea of who exactly they are keeping company with.

noblegiraffe · 03/02/2026 17:21

dairydebris · 03/02/2026 15:35

'That Zionist Entity' massive red flag for the extreme conservative Islam Shia school of thought common to the Iranian regime, Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis etc and still shocking to me to hear on this site.

"Zionist Entity" is also in reasonably common usage among more rabid pro-Palestinian protestors to avoid the suggestion of Israel being a legitimate state. I've seen it used on MN a few times.

It is interesting to hear where they are getting their rhetoric from. Useful idiots indeed.

HappyFace2025 · 03/02/2026 16:05

Bringemout · 03/02/2026 15:49

Same, it’s all the regime supporters going “weeeellll they are a bit bad but just lift the sanctions yeah and everything will be fine right”. Well no because there are an insane number of people dead and an insane number of people in prison being tortured and will probably be executed. If you are fussing about some prince across the water and Israel instead of the murder of vast numbers of your own countrymen and women then I suspect you aren’t actually anti-regime at all.

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💯 agree.

quantumbutterfly · 03/02/2026 15:55

Bringemout · 03/02/2026 15:49

Same, it’s all the regime supporters going “weeeellll they are a bit bad but just lift the sanctions yeah and everything will be fine right”. Well no because there are an insane number of people dead and an insane number of people in prison being tortured and will probably be executed. If you are fussing about some prince across the water and Israel instead of the murder of vast numbers of your own countrymen and women then I suspect you aren’t actually anti-regime at all.

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They also seem to have access to the internet which many in the country do not apparently....
www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz7y2ddgl23o

dairydebris · 03/02/2026 15:54

Bringemout · 03/02/2026 15:49

Same, it’s all the regime supporters going “weeeellll they are a bit bad but just lift the sanctions yeah and everything will be fine right”. Well no because there are an insane number of people dead and an insane number of people in prison being tortured and will probably be executed. If you are fussing about some prince across the water and Israel instead of the murder of vast numbers of your own countrymen and women then I suspect you aren’t actually anti-regime at all.

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This is my read exactly.

Original poster
Twiglets1 · 03/02/2026 15:52

Realistically the sanctions from the West are only going to increase not be lifted while this regime stays in charge.

OP posts:
Bringemout · 03/02/2026 15:49

dairydebris · 03/02/2026 15:35

'That Zionist Entity' massive red flag for the extreme conservative Islam Shia school of thought common to the Iranian regime, Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis etc and still shocking to me to hear on this site.

Same, it’s all the regime supporters going “weeeellll they are a bit bad but just lift the sanctions yeah and everything will be fine right”. Well no because there are an insane number of people dead and an insane number of people in prison being tortured and will probably be executed. If you are fussing about some prince across the water and Israel instead of the murder of vast numbers of your own countrymen and women then I suspect you aren’t actually anti-regime at all.

Original poster
Twiglets1 · 03/02/2026 15:47

amber763 · 03/02/2026 15:43

These marches have been hate marches from the start. Im not at all surprised.

It becomes clearer now though doesn't it with words like "filthy zionists" on placards.

Even "globalise the intifada" - they used to argue it was harmless but harder to expect anyone to accept that after Bondi.

OP posts:
amber763 · 03/02/2026 15:43

These marches have been hate marches from the start. Im not at all surprised.

quantumbutterfly · 03/02/2026 15:35

Noodledog · 03/02/2026 12:39

The Iranian regime funds Hamas.
If the Iranian regime is toppled, Hamas will be in big financial trouble- they don't have many other friends in the Middle East.
It really is that simple.

Hamas are using their Western useful idiots to attack the Iranian protests- I would call the idiots morally bankrupt, but that would be assuming that they are capable of making fact based decisions rather than just parroting whatever slogans they have been told to parrot. They are an absolute embarrassment.

Not just hamas apparently...

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/irans-ambassador-lebanon-injured-by-pager-explosion-2024-09-17/

dairydebris · 03/02/2026 15:35

'That Zionist Entity' massive red flag for the extreme conservative Islam Shia school of thought common to the Iranian regime, Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis etc and still shocking to me to hear on this site.

Bringemout · 03/02/2026 15:34

Pahlavi himself is talking about heading up a democratic transition, not becoming a monarchy like the gulf kingdoms. So while I can understand some Iranians would not like him he’s a figurehead to coalesce around for young people in Iran, they don’t seem to have anyone else.

Also I’m sceptical of anyone saying “just lift the sanctions” and using the phrase “zionist entity”. They sound like mullah talking points to me. Just lifting the sanctions would leave the ayatollahs in place, the same people who made it legal to marry a 9yr old, as long as her dad gives permission. The same regime that is currently selling the bodies of young people back to their families.

Original poster
Twiglets1 · 03/02/2026 15:32

HappyFace2025 · 03/02/2026 15:31

See reply from @quantumbutterfly @15.25

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I have read it.

You both educate me, thank you.

OP posts:
HappyFace2025 · 03/02/2026 15:31

Twiglets1 · 03/02/2026 15:20

I'm still learning about this topic.

Must admit I was also taken aback by the reference to "that zionist entity" & struggled to know how to reply to pomegranate.

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See reply from @quantumbutterfly @15.25

BunfightBetty · 03/02/2026 15:30

pomegranate91 · 03/02/2026 14:23

I am talking specifically about those who lift the iranian flag at pro monarchist demonstrations. I am not pro monarchy myself but I respect the right of those who are to be so, but there is no excuse for aligning themselves with that zionist entity.

I desperately want westerners, even if well meaning, to understand that pro monarchist is a political choice carrying specific weight and doesn’t just scoop up ‘everyone who doesn’t like the regime.’

We don’t all fit into a binary of either monarchist or pro regime and it’s insulting to our intelligence to imply that.

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If you want us in the west/UK to be sympathetic to your cause I suggest you stop throwing around anti-semitic terms.

peanutbuttertoasty · 03/02/2026 15:28

Really showing themselves for what they are now (not that it hasn’t been apparent from day one). Not sure what it will take for the useful idiots to wake up. They seem hellbent on living under a radical Islamic regime. These marches are being funded by someone, and they are not our friends.

quantumbutterfly · 03/02/2026 15:25

Zionist entity is the phrase used by people who wish for Israel to no longer exist. Seems to be a favourite of the ayatollahs.

Any other countries we'd like to wish out of existence while we're at it ?

Original poster
Twiglets1 · 03/02/2026 15:24

TheThinkingEconomist · 03/02/2026 15:17

Pahlavi (the Shah) brutally suppresed Iranians for decades using US, UK, and Israeli help.

The older generation in Iran has zero trust in any missives coming from a Pahlavi with good reason.

Its not going to work. Pahlavi (the son) simply has too much baggage.

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It seems to be the younger generation mainly protesting now though.

They seem to feel that the current regime has been worse than the previous regime when it comes to brutal suppression. And the vicious reaction to the protests has very much reinforced that.

OP posts:
HappyFace2025 · 03/02/2026 15:24

TheThinkingEconomist · 03/02/2026 15:17

Pahlavi (the Shah) brutally suppresed Iranians for decades using US, UK, and Israeli help.

The older generation in Iran has zero trust in any missives coming from a Pahlavi with good reason.

Its not going to work. Pahlavi (the son) simply has too much baggage.

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I'm inclined to agree with your view about Pahlavi but to be fair to him, he isn't his father. Nevertheless young Iranians* don't know any other rulers other than the Islamists: no doubt would prefer ruler (s) who would allow far more freedom of choice than those with which they've grown up.

  • Those who are in the main laying down their lives as we speak.
Original poster
Twiglets1 · 03/02/2026 15:20

HappyFace2025 · 03/02/2026 15:14

@pomegranate91 I am appalled at the wording of your post @ 14.23: 'there is no excuse for aligning themselves with that Zionist (sic) entity'.

Speaking as Jewish Zionist woman, many Jews and Zionists I know have marched and proclaimed their support of Iranians caught up in their desperate endeavour to rid Iran of the theocracy they've lived under for far too many years. We continue to do so even while our fellow Westerners remain silent.

We want a change in regime in Iran both for Iranians themselves and for us, so that the Jewish State no longer fear the terrorism that is paid for by the Islamic regime.

There is an obvious divide between Iranians who are pro monarchists and those who want a new leadership that doesn't involve Pahlavi. That is sad at best and also most disquieting.

I'm still learning about this topic.

Must admit I was also taken aback by the reference to "that zionist entity" & struggled to know how to reply to pomegranate.

OP posts:
TheThinkingEconomist · 03/02/2026 15:17

HappyFace2025 · 03/02/2026 15:14

@pomegranate91 I am appalled at the wording of your post @ 14.23: 'there is no excuse for aligning themselves with that Zionist (sic) entity'.

Speaking as Jewish Zionist woman, many Jews and Zionists I know have marched and proclaimed their support of Iranians caught up in their desperate endeavour to rid Iran of the theocracy they've lived under for far too many years. We continue to do so even while our fellow Westerners remain silent.

We want a change in regime in Iran both for Iranians themselves and for us, so that the Jewish State no longer fear the terrorism that is paid for by the Islamic regime.

There is an obvious divide between Iranians who are pro monarchists and those who want a new leadership that doesn't involve Pahlavi. That is sad at best and also most disquieting.

Pahlavi (the Shah) brutally suppresed Iranians for decades using US, UK, and Israeli help.

The older generation in Iran has zero trust in any missives coming from a Pahlavi with good reason.

Its not going to work. Pahlavi (the son) simply has too much baggage.

Original poster
Twiglets1 · 03/02/2026 15:17

pomegranate91 · 03/02/2026 14:23

I am talking specifically about those who lift the iranian flag at pro monarchist demonstrations. I am not pro monarchy myself but I respect the right of those who are to be so, but there is no excuse for aligning themselves with that zionist entity.

I desperately want westerners, even if well meaning, to understand that pro monarchist is a political choice carrying specific weight and doesn’t just scoop up ‘everyone who doesn’t like the regime.’

We don’t all fit into a binary of either monarchist or pro regime and it’s insulting to our intelligence to imply that.

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You say there's "no excuse for aligning themselves with that zionist entity".

But with regard to westerners, you surely know that many westerners support Israel (many also don't of course). So we wouldn't necessarily see anything wrong with supporters of Pahlavi also supporting Israel.

OP posts:
HappyFace2025 · 03/02/2026 15:14

@pomegranate91 I am appalled at the wording of your post @ 14.23: 'there is no excuse for aligning themselves with that Zionist (sic) entity'.

Speaking as Jewish Zionist woman, many Jews and Zionists I know have marched and proclaimed their support of Iranians caught up in their desperate endeavour to rid Iran of the theocracy they've lived under for far too many years. We continue to do so even while our fellow Westerners remain silent.

We want a change in regime in Iran both for Iranians themselves and for us, so that the Jewish State no longer fear the terrorism that is paid for by the Islamic regime.

There is an obvious divide between Iranians who are pro monarchists and those who want a new leadership that doesn't involve Pahlavi. That is sad at best and also most disquieting.

pomegranate91 · 03/02/2026 14:23

Twiglets1 · 03/02/2026 13:24

Are they really all pro monarchists or just people who are desperate for a regime change and Pahlavi seems a better alternative than what they are currently suffering?

It would be better if there was a different option than Pahlavi but not sure there is - you will know better than me as an Iranian citizen.

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I am talking specifically about those who lift the iranian flag at pro monarchist demonstrations. I am not pro monarchy myself but I respect the right of those who are to be so, but there is no excuse for aligning themselves with that zionist entity.

I desperately want westerners, even if well meaning, to understand that pro monarchist is a political choice carrying specific weight and doesn’t just scoop up ‘everyone who doesn’t like the regime.’

We don’t all fit into a binary of either monarchist or pro regime and it’s insulting to our intelligence to imply that.

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