A video published by Iranian state television shows Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan leading an Iranian audience in the infamous “Death to Israel” and “Death to America” chants so often heard at political rallies in the country.
“Marg bar” the footage shows Farrakhan declaring; “Israel,” the audience responds. “Marg bar,” repeats Farrakhan; “Āmrikā,” the audience chants.
The moment took place Sunday during his trip to Iran in which he declared his solidarity with the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism against America, which he condemned for sanctioning Iran and for its support for Saudi Arabia, Algemeiner reports.
“Today, I warn the American government that sanctioning Iran is a big mistake,” he said during a meeting with Iran’s Expediency Council Sec. Mohsen Rezaei, according to Iranian news agency Mehr.
America, he said, is “plotting” to undermine Iran’s interests. “I understand how the enemies have plotted against the Iranian people and I would like to stay alongside you to stop their plots,” said Farrakhan, describing America’s alliance with Saudi Arabia as the work of “Satan,” who “seeks to divide Muslims and wants them to kill each other, while God tells us in the Quran to be united.”
According to Iran’s Tasnim News Agency and Iranian state news, Farrakhan conducted the “Death to Israel” chant during a talk with students at the University of Tehran law school. “America has never been a democracy and has always leaned towards the wealthy and powerful class,” he told the students before leading the chant.
Farrakhah continues to appear in the news. A few weeks ago, in a speech marking the 23rd anniversary of the Million Man March, Farrakhan mocked “stupid” white people and Jews who criticize him and declared suggestively that he’s not an “anti-Semite” but “anti-termite.”
“White folk don’t like Farrakhan. Some of them respect me, but those who have been our deceivers, they can’t stand me,” he said. “I’m not mad with you. In fact, to the members of the Jewish community that don’t like me, thank you very much for putting my name all over the planet. Because of your fear of what we represent, I can go anywhere in the world and they’ve heard of Farrakhan. Thank you very much. I’m not mad at you, ‘cuz you’re so stupid. … So when they talk about Farrakhan, call me a hater, you know what they do, call me an anti-Semite, stop it. I’m anti-termite. I don’t know nothing about hating somebody because of their religious preference.
Algemeiner notes that Farrakhan has ties with prominent leaders of the Women’s March:
Several prominent American activists and politicians have been linked to Farrakhan in recent years. Tamika Mallory, a leader of the Women’s March, praised him as “GOAT” or “Greatest of All Time,” and served as a national organizer of his 2015 “Justice or Else” rally. Linda Sarsour, another leader of the March who participated in the “Justice or Else” rally, has likewise praised Farrakhan and repeatedly refused to condemn him.
Those connections came up again last week when Ben & Jerry’s decided to partner with the Women’s March to produce the new anti-Trump “Pecan Resist” ice cream.