Rahbars
opening speech to Imam Khomeini conference on Palestine
Crescent Newspaper,
(Muslimedia)
June 16-30, 2002 issue,
Islamic Iran showed its support for the Palestinian cause this
month, when the annual conference to mark the anniversary of the
death of Imam Khomeini (r.a) was dedicated to the Palestinian intifada.
The conference was attended by Islamic Jihad leader Ramadan Abdullah
Shallah and the leaders of other major Palestinian groups. The opening
statement of the conference was made by the Rahbar of the Islamic
State, AYATULLAH SAYYID ALI KHAMENEI.
In the name of God, the Compassionate and Merciful
The international conference on Imam Khomeini and Support for Palestine
that is being held on the anniversary of the death of the late founder
of the Islamic Republic of Iran is a valuable initiative intended
to inspire the struggles of the Palestinian people against the occupiers.
The USs Middle Eastern policies after the Camp David Accords
inflicted a heavy blow on the legitimate rights of the Palestinians,
leading to the conclusion of the Oslo agreement. These policies
were mainly intended to frustrate the spirit of the Palestinian
people, and to lead to a gradual elimination of Palestinians from
the region. The spirit of Islamic faith and jihad for the sake of
Allah has been reawakened, and inspires the Palestinian people to
stand firm against the treacherous policies of the worlds
arrogant powers. Today the Palestinian people continue to sacrifice
their lives in order to build a future beyond the imagination of
the enemies and even the friends of Palestine.
What is now going on in Palestine amply demonstrates the imminent
unfolding of the future that has been promised by Allah to the faithful
and unfaltering mujahideen. The brutal and repressive zionist regime,
supported by the US, world zionism and the reactionary crusaders,
think wishfully that their criminal behaviour and atrocities will
force the Palestinians to surrender. This is a big mistake, and
the perpetrators of these crimes will pay for them. The executioners
and murderers in Tel Aviv can kill scores of innocent civilians
and destroy Palestinian towns, but they have never been able to
shake the resolute determination of the Palestinian people. The
Intifada of Masjid al-Aqsa is one of the divine signs of punishment
for these criminals. The failures of the zionist regime and its
accomplice, the United States, have forced them to resort to new
tactics to save themselves from plunging further into a quagmire.
The new strategy of bringing the Palestinians back to the negotiating
table is intended only to divide the Palestinian groups. The zionist
regime has proved that it is in no way committed to any agreement
or logic. The zionists believe only in the logic of coercion, force,
aggression and expansionism. There is no risk of the faithful Palestinians
being deceived by the zionist policies.
Today, the governments and the peoples of the Muslim world, particularly
the Arab peoples, bear a heavy responsibility towards the Palestinians.
The obligation of peoples and individuals, particularly ulama, scholars,
political figures, academics and intellectuals, is equally important.
We should all mobilise our material and spiritual resources to support
the Palestinian people in their jihad.
I pray to Almighty Allah to grant all of us the ability and perseverance
to fulfil our obligations.
Wassalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh.
Sayyid Ali Khamenei,
Tehran, June 2, 2002.
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