Iranians turned out in large numbers under the blazing summer heat in anti-Israel rallies in the capital Tehran and other cities on Friday, in a display of solidarity with the oppressed Palestinians.
Marking the International Quds Day, the marchers chanted "death to Israel" and called for an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestine, Judaization of Beit-ul-Moqaddas (Jerusalem) and construction of illegal Jewish settlements across the occupied West Bank.
High-ranking government officials and military commanders participated in the annual event, IRNA reported.
President Hassan Rouhani told reporters on the sidelines of the rallies in Tehran that the occupying power in Israel is the root cause of instability in the strategic Middle East.
Rouhani lamented that divisions in the Muslim world and the spread of extremism and terrorism in the Middle East that have marginalized the Palestinian cause in Muslim countries.
"To liberate Palestine, we have no way but to help unite Muslims, fight takfiri terrorism and support resistance groups [against Israel]."
Takfiri is a Muslim who regards followers of some Islamic sects who do not follow their extreme interpretation of Islam as apostates, punishable by death.
***Not Alone
The president said the message of the rally is that "the Palestinians are not alone. Iranians will be on the side of the oppressed masses, including Palestinians," he said. "With resistance and perseverance, we will definitely win."
Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani, Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, Secretary of Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani, Chairman of the Expediency Council Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, Chairman of the Assembly of Experts Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati, Vice President Es'haq Jahangiri, head of the Reformist Policymaking Council Mohammad Reza Aref and IRGC Commander Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari joined the Friday rallies in the capital.
Quds Day falls on the last Friday of the fasting month of Ramadan, during which demonstrators in many countries march against Israel and its aggression against defenseless Palestinians for over seven decades.
The day was named by the late founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Imam Khomeini, back in 1979, following the Islamic Revolution.
***Only Way
In a statement issued at the end of the rally, demonstrators in Tehran said the only way to restore the rights of the oppressed Palestinians is resistance against Israel, a vivid example of which is the efforts by the Lebanese movement Hezbollah and the Palestinian group Hamas.
Iran says its declared support for the Palestinian campaign against the US-backed regime in Tel Aviv is the primary reason behind the American-led hostile policies of the western powers against Tehran since the revolution.
