IRNA brief supposedly quoting the Association of Iranian Jews

Original text of the IRNA brief supposedly quoting the Association of Iranian Jews The statement is reproduced from IRNA as-is, unaltered and unedited. The Association of Iranian Jews here on Sunday renewed its commitment to defend the national interests of Iranians with the advent of the Iranian new year (1386), which the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution declared to be year of "national unity and Islamic solidarity." The association renewed its commitment in a message issued on the threshold of the Jewish religious festival of the Passover, which starts Monday night. "In obedience to the instructions of Jesus, in the new Iranian year, which has been declared year of national unity and Islamic solidarity, Iranian Jews voice their readiness to defend all national interests of Iranians and to observe the guidelines set by Supreme Leader (Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei) for the sake of strengthening national unity and solidarity in the fight against present-day pharaohs," the message said. It further said that Iranian Jews gave significance to the remarkable coincidence of the Passover festival with the advent of the Iranian new year. Pesach (Passover) begins on the night of the 15th day of the month of Nissan. This annual Jewish festival celebrates the escape of Jews from the slaughter of the first-born in Egypt.