In a bold and highly personal video address released Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on the “proud people of Iran” to stand up to their government, take to the streets, and fight for freedom, promising that Israel would help solve the country’s severe water shortages once the current regime falls.
“Take risks for freedom. Demand justice. Protest against tyranny,” Netanyahu declared, urging Iranians to “dare to dream” of a free and prosperous nation.
The prime minister accused Tehran of forcing a costly 12-day war on Israel — a conflict he said Iran “lost miserably” — while ignoring its own citizens’ needs. Quoting Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s admission that the nation has “problems with water, electricity, money, and inflation,” Netanyahu said the remark revealed “a country in collapse.”
“In this brutal summer heat, you don’t even have clean, cold water to give your children,” Netanyahu said. “Such hypocrisy. Such disdain for the Iranian people. To live like this is not fair to you. It’s not fair to your children.”
Highlighting Israel’s own water technology, Netanyahu noted that Israel recycles 90% of its wastewater — the highest rate in the world — and leads in desalination. He recalled launching a Farsi-language Telegram channel nearly a decade ago to share water-management techniques, which quickly drew 100,000 Iranian followers. “The thirst for water in Iran is only matched by the thirst for freedom,” he said.
Netanyahu painted an image of a revitalized Iran: water skiing at Karaj Dam, strolling along a restored Farahzad River, seeing Lake Urmia full again, and enjoying lush parks in Tehran. “The moment your country is free, Israel’s top water experts will flood into every Iranian city bringing cutting-edge technology and know-how,” he promised.
The Israeli leader condemned Tehran’s rulers for spending “hundreds of billions” on Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis while neglecting schools, hospitals, and infrastructure. “You, descendants of Cyrus the Great, deserve much more,” he said.
Calling the Iranian leadership “cruel, callous, and cowardly,” Netanyahu predicted the regime “will not last long.” He urged Iranians to act now: “Do not let these fanatic mullahs ruin your lives for a minute longer. You are not alone. Israel stands with you. The entire free world stands with you.”
Closing his message, Netanyahu invoked the words of Zionist founder Theodor Herzl — “If you will it, it is no dream” — adapting them for Iran: “Iran Baraye Irani — Iran for Iranians. If you will it, a free Iran is no dream.”
