Insensitive reaction as Israelis celebrate Iranian President's death on social media

After the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his eight-member staff in a helicopter crash on Monday in the mountains of East Azerbaijan province, Israelis took to social media to celebrate his demise.

The 63-year-old Raisi was in Azerbaijan early on Sunday to inaugurate a dam alongside his counterpart Ilham Aliyev. After the ceremony, Raisi and his entourage departed in a convoy of three helicopters to inaugurate another project, losing contact shortly after departure.

The crash occurred days after Iran fired missiles at Israel, amid growing international pressure on Raisi, who became president in 2021 and has maintained a hardline stance on international and domestic issues.

The Israeli intelligence agency's account on X, Mossad Commentary, shared a video, which was aired by Iranian state TV about Raisi, with the caption, "Raisi - The End," and claimed about celebrations of his death in Iran.

There were celebrations in Iran throughout the night. What is going to happen next while Khamenei is still around, remains to be seen. pic.twitter.com/H0A8BLFAMs

— Mossad Commentary (@MOSSADil) May 20, 2024

A video also circulated on the microblogging platform showing a woman in Israel distributing sweets to passersby. A pro-Israel ‘X ‘ user claimed that even Arabs rejoiced at the news.

Una mujer israelí salió a la calle a repartir dulces como lo hacen en Siria, Irán y los palestinos por la caída del helicóptero del presidente iraní. Incluso automovilistas árabes lo festejan. pic.twitter.com/v4tDFod14Y

— ITON GADOL es Israel y las comunidades judias (@Itongadol) May 20, 2024

"For anyone who curses or attacks the People of Israel, divine justice comes sooner rather than later. Today, Nicolás Maduro, Diosdado Cabello, Díaz-Canel, and Gustavo Petro mourn his absence," one Israeli commented.

🇨🇴
Irán, el Mossad de Israel y todos los países democráticos, celebran la muerte del Dictador Ebrahim
Raisi, quien era el actual despiadado presidente Iraní.

El Dictador Ebrahim Raisi era conocido por su participación en las ejecuciones masivas de 1988, cuando miles de… pic.twitter.com/31xMl4Ww5x

— Luis Fernando Gòmez (@luifergomezlaw) May 19, 2024

An account named Israel War Room posted a helicopter emoji following the news of the accident, prompting sarcastic comments from Israelis below the post.

🚁

— Israel War Room (@IsraelWarRoom) May 19, 2024

"Today, the world breathes a little more freely," an Israeli wrote on 'X'.

CONFIRMADO: Ebrahim Raisi, perpetrador de genocidio en Irán, falleció en el accidente de helicóptero. Responsable de la muerte de más de 30,000 personas inocentes y de ataques que amenazaban a millones de personas en Israel.

Hoy, el mundo respira un poco más libre. pic.twitter.com/UOgppzP0BV

— Juan Nicolás Vizcaya (@JuanNicolasVizc) May 20, 2024

An 'X' user, Issac decribed President Raisi's death as "Karma" for attacking Israel.

"The karma of those who screw Israel!!! It's already getting dark and the wolves come out of the forest to eat Raisi," his post read. 

El karma de los que joden a Israel !!!
Ya se está haciendo de noche y salen los lobos del bosque a comerse a Raisi ...
Irán es una amenaza para Israel ?? jajaja si sus aviones funcionan así ... jajaja
Biden dice que Israel tiene que enviar ayuda humanitaria a Irán !!! jajaja pic.twitter.com/UqxlHL8Nkh

— Isaac (@isaacrrr7) May 19, 2024