Secular nationalism vs. religious Pan-Islamism: the positions of the state and ulema in Iran on the Question of Palestine, 1947-1979

Abstract

The Pahlavi regime and the Shiite ulema in Iran did not see the Question of Palestine eye to eye. This was much the result of the regime’s secular-nationalist perspective compared to ulema’s religious and pan-Islamic one. While the regime made symbolic gestures and lip service to the Palestinian cause, the ulema provided moral and practical support, which even included fundraising and enlisting Iranian volunteers to be sent to Palestine. In reality, contrary to the Iranian Shiite ulema who sought the destruction of the nascent Jewish state, the Shah saw much benefit in a rapprochement with Israel, which increased over time and gradually led to Iranian-Israeli strategic partnership. It was only after the overthrow of the Shah and the establishment of the Islamic Republic that the ulema could freely and fully support the Palestinian cause and the Palestinian struggle against Israel.