Ayatollah Khamenei Pledges that Iran Will Continue Defending Palestine Cause

"We will defend the Palestinian people’s drive wholeheartedly, in any possible manner and as long as we can" - Leader of the Islamic Revolution, in Address to Basij Commanders

(TEHRAN) - Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, in a meeting on Wednesday with a group of 2,500 commanders of volunteer Basij forces, described the Basij as the “blessed and dynamic representative of the whole nation.”

Elucidating methods used by hegemonic powers to bear enmity toward the Iranian nation, Ayatollah Khamenei said:

“In the genuine battle and war launched by the hegemonic powers’ front against the ‘identity- and independence-seeking front,’ the Iranian nation will fulfill its obligations with regard to defending the brave Palestinian nation and the Intifada in the West Bank.”

Stressing that the main objective pursued by the hegemonic powers’ front is to make the Palestinian cause slip into oblivion, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution said, “Despite all efforts by the hegemonic powers’ front and even the Arab governments aligning themselves with them, the Palestinian people’s Intifada has started in the West Bank.”

Touching on the unjust performance of hegemonic powers’ media on the issue of Palestine, Ayatollah Khamenei said: “These media label as terrorists people who throw stones in protest at the occupation of their territory and the destruction of their houses! [But] in support of a group that has destroyed the lives and the honor of the Palestinians, they say ‘they are acting in self-defense’.”

“Is such an attitude and view to the issue of Palestine a minor error and injustice that we could ignore and towards which remain indifferent?” asked Ayatollah Khamenei.

“We will defend the Palestinian people’s drive wholeheartedly, in any possible manner and as long as we can.”

Referring to the issue of Bahrain, Ayatollah Khamenei asked, “What’s Bahraini people’s sin? Do they want anything but the right of vote for each and every one of the people? Isn’t that (their demand) democracy?! Aren’t Western governments claiming to advocate democracy?”

Ayatollah Khamenei also pointed to pressures exerted upon and the insults hurled against people in Bahrain and their humiliation by a powerful oppressive minority.

“This oppressive minority has gone too far, so much so that it insults the sanctities and mourning ceremonies by the Bahraini people in [the lunar calendar month of] Muharram.”

In regard to months of incessant attacks against the oppressed people of Yemen, “Under such circumstances, the institutions claiming to be supporting democracy and human rights are backing those who have been targeting people with a barrage of attacks.”

On the issues of Syria and Iraq, Ayatollah Khamenei said, “The hegemonic powers’ front is supporting the most wicked and ruthless terrorists in these two countries and in Syria they insist on deciding on the method of forming a government.”

“Who are you and which right do you have to decide for the Syrian people from the other part of the globe?

"Every nation should determine its own government,” said the Leader of the Islamic Revolution.

“The Basij can acknowledge that the Islamic Republic of Iran’s positions vis-à-vis Palestine, Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Bahrain are the most logical positions a fair and wise man can adopt,” Ayatollah Khamenei said.