An interview with Hamid Reza Ismaeeli, the author of the book entitled “the political organization of Baha’ism” concerning the organizational relationship of the Baha’is with the Zionists:
Q: Since past, there has been a valid relationship between the Baha’is and the Zionists: Location of Hussein Ali Baha’s grave in Acre, the Baha’is, commuting to the occupied lands from past to the present time. Where is its origin? When and where did the relationships between the Baha’is and the Zionists start?
A: The relationship of Baha’ism is not limited to Israel. Several decades before the establishment of Israel, Baha’ism had relationships with the Zionist supporters and activists and the Baha’is were being supported by them. The origin of these relationships goes back to the years when The Zionists had started their serious activities in 19th century. People like Henry Jessup and Hearst and Farmer family were the supporters of Baha’ism and they were also of the proselytizers and activists of Zionism and Israel in Palestine land.
Q: How was the relationships between the Baha’is and the Jewish in Iran?
A: contrary to Christians who didn’t like Baha’ism, thousands of Jewish joined Baha’ism in cities like Hamadan, Kashan, Tehran and Arak, according to Jewish historians. It is interesting to be noted that a, a great number of Jewish were doing the Jewish formalities after being Baha’i. As a matter of fact, when the universal nets of Judaism were seriously activating in Iran and advancing invested by Jewish and Zionist investors, there Jewish people were remarkable changing into Baha’is. Because Baha’ism is a political party, it didn’t reject the Jewish, but it welcomed them due to political and economic reasons. Shoqi called such Jewish as the Jewish disciples; such as Anwar, Ataee and Banaee. Lotfullah Hakim is of this group.
Q: The center of the leadership of Baha’ism is in Israel. Is this issue effective in the quality of relationship between the Baha’is and Israel?
A: This influence is to such an extent that it has changed the Baha’ism organization in the one under Israel government. In fact, several years after the establishment of Israel, the formal organ of Baha’ism announced formally that this organization is being managed under an office called “the Baha’i office” in religion ministry of Zionistic regime. It is also specified that the national assemblies of England, Iran, Canada and Australia have directly founded based on the current rules in Israel. The establishment of “the Baha’i international board” caused these relationships formal nearly three years after the establishment of Israel. They knew this board as the primary organization of the universal house of justice which was established on January 9th, 1951 A.D. ordered by Shoqi effendi in Haifa.
Q: Before founding Israel, did the Baha’is help Israel in the wars between Israel and the Muslims?
A: The Baha’is believed that the increase in Israel’s power would end in an increase in the Baha’is influence and power. They also considered the establishment of Israel government as a wish that they could commute to Acre and Haifa easier than before via its fulfillment. Serving Israel against Arabs and Muslims by Baha’ism during 1340s S.H., was so clear that Jamal Abdulnnaser, the then president of Egypt who had changed into the hero of Arabs due to his confrontation against Israel gave a speech and introduced the Baha’is as the spies of Israel. During the current years, Yemen resistance discovered these relationship in the Baha’is of that country.
Having such clear antecedent, why do the Baha’is reject their relationships with Israel? Due to various reasons and most importantly due to the sensitivity of Muslims in this regard the Baha’is insist on hiding their relationships with Israel. This policy was previously existent. For example; in 1346 S.H.; according to the organizational order to the members, the members were emphasized to avoid discussing about the issues related to Israel.
Q: Imam Khomeini (P.H.) has also called the Baha’is as the agents of Israel and Zionism:
You know that according to Imam Khomeini’s (P.H.) literature and dialogue, the agents of Israel means the Baha’is. Basically, Imam’s movement started in the first period: 1340 to 1343 S.H. It was a movement against the Jewish net and the Baha’is. Of course, Imam was certain that the king has tangled with the Baha’is and their bond was inseparable, but he wanted to show the main enemy. According to Imam Khomeini (P.H.), Israel and America are our enemies and he pointed out the Baha’is the subgroup of them. Imam Khomeini’s (P.H.) view can be evaluated in three dimensions:
۱) Baha’ism like a political party and organization not a theological cult
۲) a party related Jewish and Israel and,
۳) the existence of an event “the hidden Jewish” to proceed some aims and interests of the Jewish activities.
