Iran mullahs: Palestine, most important issue of world of Islam
Mar 25, 2004, 00:50
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IRNA -- Head of Majlis Speaker`s office in Tehran Ahmad Hosseini said on Tuesday that Palestine is the most important issue of the world of Islam. In a meeting with Hamas representative in Tehran Abdulmoatta in Tehran on Tuesday, Hosseini underlined the valuable role of the late spiritual leader of Hamas Sheikh Ahmed Yasin in formation of Hamas and Intifadha, saying his martyrdom would be source of blessing for Palestinians` Intifadha.
Hosseini attended the meeting on sidelines of a ceremony to lay wreath at Hamas`s Tehran office in commemoration of late Yasin, who was assassinated by Israel in Gaza early Monday morning. He said Iranian government and people pay special attention to Palestinian issues and consider Palestinian Intifadha as a valuable move taken by Palestinians to regain their legitimate rights.
He added that Zionist occupiers` "criminal" move in the occupied Palestine is clear stance of terrorism. "The US that claims to have been fighting terrorism is the main propagator of terrorism in the region and the world for supporting the criminal move," said Hosseini.
He voiced sympathy with Palestinians on the incident on behalf of Iranian government and people. Abdulmoatta said for his part that the million-strong presence of people in Yasin`s funeral was sign of public support for Intifadha.
He said that the usurper Israel and its US ally were falsely thinking that they would be able to suppress Intifadha by assassination of Yasin. Iran`s government on Tuesday condemned assassination by Israel of Hamas spiritual leader Sheikh Ahmad Yasin, saying that Palestinians` continued resistance is the only way to face Israel`s brutal policies. Issuing a six-point statement, Iranian government also stressed further unity among Palestinians against Israeli threats. The statement said that undoubtedly, Israel`s main objective in adopting such measures is to bring the heroic resistance of the Palestinian people into its knees but experience has shown that martyrdom of any Palestinian inhales a new life to other Palestinians, their resistance and Intifadha. The statement said the "terrorist" incident indicates the US` direct role in Israeli atrocities.
It highly criticized the international organizations and communities, especially certain Arab and Muslim states, for their indifference towards the ongoing events in Palestine as well as Israel`s crimes against the defenseless Palestinian people.
It said that international organizations` silence had further encouraged Israel to go on with its policy of assassination and massacre. It added that Israel has been insisting on its policy of assassination, suppression and insecurity, proving that it considers its life depended on escalation of tension in the occupied lands and the region. It warned that the US` support for Israel and the global community`s silence against Israeli atrocities would undoubtedly result in continued instability, tension and atrocities of Israel in the region.
Supreme Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, President Mohammad Khatami, Expediency Council Chairman Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, Majlis Speaker Mehdi Karroubi, Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi, Vice-President Mohammad-Ali Abtahi, government spokesman Hamid-Reza Asefi, Leadership envoy in Syria Ayatollah Seyed Mojtaba Hosseini, Friday prayers leaders in Iran, Majlis National Security Commission, Islamic Revolution Martyrs Foundation and Basij have thus far condemned the assassination.
Israel on Monday assassinated Hamas founder and spiritual leader Sheikh Ahmed Yasin. An Israeli warplane fired several missiles at Yasin`s car shortly after he performed the dawn prayer at a central Gaza mosque. Sheikh Yasin and two of his aides were killed instantly. Following his death, thousands of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip took to the streets, shouting "God is Great." Hamas has vowed to avenge Yasin`s death and the movement`s leaders said the retaliation would be thunderous. The Zionist regime claimed responsibility for the murder.
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