Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:52:31 GMT
One year after Israel's grinding war on Gaza, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution says should Israel start a new armed conflict against Gazans, it would suffer a much heavier blow.
Speaking during a meeting with visiting Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei pledged Iran's unwavering support for Palestinians.
"One of the main reasons behind the enmity of the global hegemony toward the Islamic Republic is the Palestinian issue," said the Leader on Tuesday.
"If Iran had backtracked about the Palestinian issue, much of such hostilities would have ceased to exist; however, regarding this matter we stand fast," Ayatollah Khamenei added.
The Leader blasted Arab states for failing to support the Palestinian cause, saying, "certain Arabs under the guise of Muslims who betray the people of Palestine" are a major concern regarding this matter.
Ayatollah Khamenei went on to say that the only solution to the Palestinian crisis is "resistance, having trust in God and taking action."
Calling to mind the plight of the people of Gaza during a deadly Israeli assault in 2008, the Leader warned Israel against waging another war in the region.
"If the Israeli regime launches another war against the people of Gaza, they will receive a much heavier blow and suffer a more crushing defeat than before," Ayatollah Khamenei said.
Israel's three-week offensive against Gaza in 2008 — seeking to topple the democratically-elected government of Hamas in the Palestinian territory — left nearly 1,300 Palestinians dead, more than half of them civilians, according to medical sources.
The Israeli assault led to the destruction of schools, mosques, houses, UN compounds and government buildings, which Israel has a responsibility to protect under the Fourth Geneva Convention.
CS/HGH
Speaking during a meeting with visiting Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei pledged Iran's unwavering support for Palestinians.
"One of the main reasons behind the enmity of the global hegemony toward the Islamic Republic is the Palestinian issue," said the Leader on Tuesday.
"If Iran had backtracked about the Palestinian issue, much of such hostilities would have ceased to exist; however, regarding this matter we stand fast," Ayatollah Khamenei added.
The Leader blasted Arab states for failing to support the Palestinian cause, saying, "certain Arabs under the guise of Muslims who betray the people of Palestine" are a major concern regarding this matter.
Ayatollah Khamenei went on to say that the only solution to the Palestinian crisis is "resistance, having trust in God and taking action."
Calling to mind the plight of the people of Gaza during a deadly Israeli assault in 2008, the Leader warned Israel against waging another war in the region.
"If the Israeli regime launches another war against the people of Gaza, they will receive a much heavier blow and suffer a more crushing defeat than before," Ayatollah Khamenei said.
Israel's three-week offensive against Gaza in 2008 — seeking to topple the democratically-elected government of Hamas in the Palestinian territory — left nearly 1,300 Palestinians dead, more than half of them civilians, according to medical sources.
The Israeli assault led to the destruction of schools, mosques, houses, UN compounds and government buildings, which Israel has a responsibility to protect under the Fourth Geneva Convention.
CS/HGH
No comments:
Post a Comment