Zarif Highlights Iran’s Support for Palestine

Jakarta –   Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif highlighted the support of the Iranian nation for Palestine and condemned the brutal crimes of the Zionist regime.

Addressing the 5th Extraordinary Summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jakarta on Monday, he said the situation in Palestine is the outcome of extreme use of force by the Zionist regime.

He believed Israel’s savage occupation of Palestine is a vivid violation of the most basic principles of international laws regarding humanitarian rights.

The Iranian foreign minister also said the Israeli regime is trying to cover up its expansionist policies which aimed at changes in Al-Quds Al-Sharif.

He said the Zionist regime carried out the policies through extremist Zionists in a bid to advance its own policies regarding demographic structure in Masjid al-Aqsa and its surrounding region.

He further regretted that the United Nations Security Council, due to many reasons, especially the policies of one of its own member states, has so far failed to meet its responsibilities regarding the Zionist regime crimes.

Zarif stated that this in itself posed a serious threat to international peace and security.

The Iranian diplomat went on to note that as Muslims, the OIC member states, in an orchestrated effort, had to put aside differences and search for practical measures to end all manifestations of occupation in Palestine.

As the first step toward ultimate liberation of Palestine, he said, the organization should try to make the Zionist policies which focus on changing the identity of the occupied city of Al-Quds a failure.

Zarif also noted that the issue of Palestine and Al-Quds Al-Sharif were at the very heart of OIC agenda and were a major priority for the organization.

The Iranian foreign minister also stated that a growing number of both governmental and non-governmental actors across the globe were now distancing themselves from their old policies of rendering absolute support to Israel and its savage policies.

Zarif stressed that the Islamic Republic of Iran is committed to its responsibilities towards the issue of Palestine though being aware of the fact that many pressures it has endured in recent decades has been due to its support of the Palestinian cause.

However, the foreign minister said, Iran is going to continue with this policy in future as well.

IRNA

R.S