The pictures of Neda Agha-Soltan, whose violent death documented on the streets of Tehran in January became a defining moment and image of the young Iranian opposition, had reached around the world and Israel too. Nearly nine months after her death, another reminder reaches Israel: Caspian Makan.

Caspian Makan claimed to be Neda’s beau at the time; they had planned to get engaged, he had told the press then.

Makan arrived in Israel last week. He arrived on an El Al flight and had his Iranian passport stamped at Ben Gurion airport, sure signs he doesn’t intend to return to the Iran he fled. He asked to meet with Israeli President Shimon Peres, who was glad to accept, and the two met Monday evening.

“I come to Israel as an ambassador of the Iranian people, a messenger from the camp of peace,” the Iranian exile told his Israeli host. “I have no doubt that Neda’s spirit and soul feels the sensitivity and warmth I received in this meeting.”