President Hassan Rouhani slammed the silence and ignorance of some Arab countries in the face of Israeli massacre of defenseless Palestinians, adding that the Zionist regime’s atrocities show it only understands the language of “force”.
“It is regrettable that some Arab countries are silent in the face of the Zionist regime’s latest crimes and some Muslim countries are simply ignoring it,” the presidential website quoted him as saying on Wednesday. Palestinians buried the dead on Tuesday from the bloodiest day in Gaza in years, after Israeli forces killed 60 Palestinians on Monday near the Gaza-Israel border during demonstrations against the opening of the US Embassy in Beit-ul-Moqaddas (Jerusalem).
Persian Gulf Monarchies Silent
Palestinian leaders have called Monday’s events a massacre, and the Israeli policy of using live fire against the protesters as well as the relocation of the US Embassy have drawn worldwide condemnation. However, the reaction has been ostensibly mild among Arab states–particularly those in the oil-rich Persian Gulf monarchies. Saudi newspapers and state media largely ignored the US move, instead focusing on domestic topics such as preparations for women to be able to drive from next month, Reuters reported.
Egypt, the most populous Arab country and longtime mediator in the peace process, avoided direct criticism of its US ally.
Resistance the Only Solution
Rouhani said the aggressive tactics employed by Israeli forces will further build up the will and resistance among Palestinians, making them more determined to finally redeem their land from the occupiers. “There is no other way for Palestinians [to free their lands] but resistance, because the Israeli regime is not committed to any moral or international rule and regulation. It only understands force,” he said.
The president recalled the Lebanese group Hezbollah’s resistance against Israel when it stood up against the occupying power’s airstrikes on Lebanon for 33 days in 2006. “The Israelis understood that they could not get what they wanted as they were faced by the great resistance of Lebanon. In Gaza, too, they will get nowhere,” he said. “There is no other way but resistance,” he added.
Gruesome Killings
The cold-blooded killings of unarmed Palestinians by Israeli troops include people of all walks of life -- from an infant to a double amputee. On Tuesday, hundreds marched in the funeral of eight-month-old Leila al-Ghandour, whose body was wrapped in a Palestinian flag.
“The actions of the Israeli regime have always been nothing but violation, oppression, and killing the innocent. The world indeed is witnessing such brutal crimes more than ever before,” the president said.
