Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei reiterated Iran’s stance on the Palestinian issue that calls for holding a referendum among the true Palestinians, describing the potential move as “a democratic and modern method”.
Addressing a group of university teachers in Tehran on Sunday, Ayatollah Khamenei said, “We have always said that in order to determine the type of government in the ancient country of Palestine, we should, based on an approach accepted worldwide, refer to public opinion and conduct a referendum among the true Palestinians, whether Muslim, Jewish or Christian, who have lived on this land, inside or outside the occupied territories, for at least 80 years,” his official website reported.
Iran does not recognize Israel and considers those relocated there after the creation of Israel in 1948 as occupiers.
Ayatollah Khamenei asked “Is this proposal by the Islamic Republic, which has been officially registered at the Unites Nations, not consistent with the principles endorsed by the world?
The Leader has often called for a referendum in Palestine though the mainstream media has hardly covered the democratic and logical idea as would have been expected.
In 2009, Ayatollah Khamenei had said, “Our proposal is a solution that is compatible with democracy and can form a common logical basis. The proposal is that all those who have a legitimate stake in the territory of Palestine, including Muslims, Christians and Jews should choose their own system of government in a general referendum.”
He said “All the Palestinians who have long borne the brunt of the ordeals of exile should also participate in the referendum.”
European Hypocrisy
Ayatollah Khamenei criticized the western countries’ approach toward the proposal, saying that the West is not sincere in its claims to democracy. “Whatever the Palestinians say and want [through the ballot box] must be done. Is this a bad idea? Are the European countries not ready to understand this?”
Referring to a recent European tour by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in which he aimed to undermine Iran's standing and influence in the region, Ayatollah Khamenei said, “That oppressor (and) cruel killer of children goes (to other countries and) feigns to be the victim saying that Iran wants to do away with several million of our population.”
Censuring Netanyahu’s hawkish stance and disinformation campaign against Iran, the Leader said, “This criminal who has outrivaled all the tyrants of history mendaciously told the Europeans that Iran wants to destroy several million Jews…Our solution for the Palestinian problem is perfectly reasonable and consistent with democratic norms,” he said.
Ayatollah Khamenei said, “As of now, we are the only country in the world that has the largest number of enemies among arrogant governments and worthless powers and also has the highest number of supporters among the masses in many countries.”
The status and prestige that the Islamic Republic has in many countries, including neighboring and other countries, is not matched by any other country and no country is as much prestigious and has as many supporters as the Iran, he noted.
“This is why (the Islamic Republic) also has evil and strong enemies.”
