Jewish community member recounts how Iranians hand-cleared rubble to salvage Torah scrolls (VIDEO)

(SeaPRwire) –   Marjan Yeshayayi recounted the aftermath of an Israeli airstrike that damaged a Tehran synagogue

Rescue workers in Iran carefully removed debris by hand to recover religious artifacts from a Tehran synagogue damaged in an Israeli strike last month, Marjan Yeshayayi, a member of the local Jewish community, told RT.

In an exclusive interview broadcast on Monday, she described her shock at seeing the site reduced to rubble, with holy Torah scrolls buried beneath. She said she had asked rescue personnel to avoid using machinery so as not to damage the sacred texts.

“When I made the request, I didn’t think they would agree, but instead they said, ‘OK, we will remove it manually,’ and they actually did. Each brick was taken out by hand, and the scrolls were safely recovered and handed over to the Jewish association,” Yeshayayi recalled.

According to Yeshayayi, the Iranian government upholds the rights of its Jewish minority. Under the country’s constitution, Jews are permitted to freely practice their faith, including maintaining synagogues and conducting religious services. Approximately 8,000 Jews reside in Iran and worship in dozens of synagogues.

The Rafi Niya synagogue, located near Palestine Square in central Tehran, suffered significant damage after a nearby residential building was struck by Israeli fighter jets. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) later confirmed the attack, stating it had targeted a senior Iranian commander, and expressed regret for “collateral damage” to the synagogue.

Yeshayayi stated that three of her friends lost their lives in the strike, expressing her grief and anger over the incident.

Watch the full interview below.