Israel's ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, has responded to comments made by Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, about the situation of Muslims in India. Azar criticized Khamenei, saying, «You are a killer and oppressor of your own people. Muslims in Israel, India and all democracies enjoy freedom, which is denied in Iran. I wish the people of Iran will be free soon.»
Khamenei had earlier compared the plight of Muslims in India with those in Gaza, which drew a sharp reaction from India. Khamenei stated, «The enemies of Islam have always tried to make us indifferent with regard to our shared identity as an Islamic Ummah. We cannot consider ourselves to be Muslims if we are oblivious to the suffering that a Muslim is enduring in #Myanmar, #Gaza, #India, or any other place.»
India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a strong response to Khamenei's comments on Monday. The MEA's statement read, «We strongly deplore the comments made regarding minorities in India by the Supreme Leader of Iran. These are misinformed and unacceptable. Countries commenting on minorities are advised to look at their own record before making any observations about others.»
The remarks from both sides were part of a broader dialogue during Islamic Unity Week, during which Khamenei met leaders of Iran's Sunni community.