Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Iranian anti-government protesters on Monday while dismissing Tehran's apparent accusations that Israel was behind the demonstrations as "laughable."
Five days of protests in Iran have posed the boldest challenge to its clerical leadership since pro-reform unrest in 2009. According to reports, 20 people have been killed as some confrontations with police turned violent.
"I wish the Iranian people success in their noble quest for freedom," Netanyahu said in a video posted on his Facebook page.
"Brave Iranians are pouring into the streets. They seek freedom. They seek justice. They seek the basic liberties that have been denied them for decades. Iran's cruel regime wastes tens of billions of dollars spreading hate," he said in remarks that echoed similar praise from U.S. President Donald Trump.
Noting that the "money could have gone toward the building of schools or hospitals," Netanyahu said, "It's no wonder that fathers and mothers are marching in the streets. The regime is scared of them, of its own people. That is the reason they ban social media networks."
"But I am convinced that fear will not prevail," Netanyahu continued, "because the Iranian people are smart, sophisticated and proud. Today, it is risking everything for freedom."
On Monday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani was quoted by state media as apparently blaming Iran's arch enemies, the United States and Israel, for provoking unrest.
"Our success in the political arena against the United States and the Zionist regime was unbearable to (Iran's enemies). Iran's success in the region was unbearable to them. Don't you expect that they would seek revenge? Don't you think they would provoke some people?" Rouhani was quoted as saying in a meeting with lawmakers.
Netanyahu said Rouhani's suggestion that Israel was involved was "not only false – it's laughable."
"Unlike Rouhani, I will not insult the Iranian people. They deserve better," Netanyahu said, adding that more Western countries should condemn Tehran for trying to quash the protests.
"Sadly, many European governments watch in silence as young heroic Iranians are beaten in the streets. That's just not right. And I, for one, will not stay silent," he said.
On Twitter, Monday, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence voiced support for the protesters and said the U.S. would not let them down. He hinted at the response by former U.S. President Barack Obama to the 2009 unrest in Iran, tweeting, "As long as @RealDonaldTrump is POTUS and I am VP, the United States of America will not repeat the shameful mistake of our past when others stood by and ignored the heroic resistance of the Iranian people as they fought against their brutal regime."
"The bold and growing resistance of the Iranian people today gives hope and faith to all who struggle for freedom and against tyranny. We must not and we will not let them down. #IranProtests," Pence tweeted further.
