Israel’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, recently stated that Iran plays a pivotal role in global terrorism and is a driving force behind ongoing regional instability, impacting both the Middle East and parts of Africa. He suggested that meaningful progress toward peace could remain unattainable unless Iran’s current political leadership undergoes significant change.
Freeman made these remarks during the screening of the documentary *We Will Dance Again*, directed by Yariv Mozer, held in Abuja to mark the first anniversary of the Oct. 7 attack. He said, “The root of this war and the ongoing instability is Iran,” emphasizing the country's significant influence in fueling conflicts throughout the region.
The ambassador underscored Iran’s extensive support for groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, which have been central to unrest in the Middle East. He noted, “Their strategy involves significant financial investment, technical expertise, and weaponry to destabilize the region.” Freeman further asserted that Iran’s influence extends into Africa, aiming to disturb the stability of West African countries, including Nigeria.
Freeman described the Iranian regime under its radical leadership as a major sponsor of “terror, destruction, and misery” impacting millions worldwide, including Iranian citizens. He urged the global community to act resolutely, arguing that “the sooner the world addresses Iran’s leadership and initiates change, the sooner global peace can be achieved.”
Freeman stressed that the impact of terrorism is not limited by geography, explaining that terrorism faced in Israel resonates in Nigeria and other regions. “Terrorism knows no borders,” he stated, calling for a united global stance against extremist threats through collaboration in resources and expertise.
“Israel stands ready to assist any country committed to defeating terrorism,” Freeman affirmed, underscoring the importance of global unity against terrorism to build a safer world. He also highlighted Nigeria as a nation particularly affected by extremist terrorism, urging collective international efforts to address this challenge.
Reflecting on the devastating attack of Oct. 7, Freeman emphasized the necessity of preventing similar incidents in the future. He recalled that the attacks impacted not only individual sites but entire communities, with reports of villages decimated, 900 people killed, including children subjected to horrific violence.
Freeman pointed out that groups like Hamas represent a fundamental barrier to peace, as their ideology calls for Israel’s destruction and the death of all Jews. He explained that genuine peace in the Middle East would remain elusive as long as Hamas continued to operate with such goals.
In reference to Israel’s 2005 Gaza withdrawal, Freeman reminded that Israel had removed its military personnel, civilians, and settlements from the area, leaving behind infrastructure to support Palestinian development. However, he remarked that since Hamas assumed control of Gaza in 2007, they have governed with a heavy hand, diverting international aid toward terrorism, constructing tunnels, and amassing weapons, while impoverishing the people they control.
Freeman closed by stressing that the loss of innocent lives, whether Israeli or Palestinian, is equally tragic. He advocated addressing the root causes of these conflicts as the only viable path to sustainable peace and future stability.
