JERUSALEM -- Israeli President Shimon Peres has applauded pro-reform protesters in Iran, saying he hopes for an end to Iran's hard-line leadership.
Sunday's comments from Israel's ceremonial president are among the highest-level expressions of support for the protesters so far from Israel, Iran's bitter enemy.
Speaking to a Jewish group, the Nobel peace prize laureate called on young Iranians to "raise their voice for freedom."
Peres said he hoped Iran's "poor government will disappear."
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has suggested Israel should be "wiped off the map." Ahmadinejad's disputed June 12 re-election has sparked massive protests in Iran.
Israel has long been concerned that Iran is developing nuclear weapons, a charge Iran denies.
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