Saudi Moves Benefit Israel, Harm Muslims

Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani criticized Saudi Arabia for its covert relations with Israel, saying Riyadh’s actions in the region serve the Tel Aviv’s interests to the detriment of Muslim nations. Larijani made the remarks in a meeting with ambassadors of Muslim countries in Tehran Monday, Press TV reported.

“We have tried hard to make the Saudis realize that their measures are to the detriment of the Muslim ummah. But they only make harsher remarks every day and engage Muslim countries.”

Larijani pointed to the Arab country’s “very unpleasant” polices in dealing with regional countries, saying the Saudis exert force in Syria, attack Yemen to turn it into their own backyard, fuel tensions in Bahrain and have now targeted Qatar.

“Eventually, all Saudi moves are in favor of Israel,” the senior lawmaker said, adding that they want continued presence of terrorists in the region and even provide support to some terror groups such as the al-Nusra Front. He called on Muslims not to be trapped in “a bigger plot”.  Iran had obtained documents showing that Saudi rulers provided Israel with intelligence during its 33-day war on Lebanon in the summer of 2006, he noted.

  Qods Day Rallies

“The dependence of some Muslim countries on Israel is catastrophic and a cause of shame, while the Muslim ummah should be sensitive to the fate of Palestine,” Larijani said.

As a result, he said, International Qods Day is important, expressing hope that Muslims would demonstrate their unity on this day. The late founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini, named the last Friday of the lunar fasting month of Ramadan as International Qods Day, which falls on June 23 this year.

It is commemorated each year by rallies during which demonstrators voice support for the oppressed Palestinians and call for an end to the brutal Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands.

In addition, the Majlis speaker said Iran pursues a policy of creating consensus and unity among Muslims.

He thanked the Muslim ambassadors for expressing sympathy over the recent twin terrorist attacks in Tehran, which killed 18 people and injured over 50 others. On June 7, gunmen mounted almost simultaneous assaults on Iran’s parliament and the mausoleum of Imam Khomeini. The self-styled Islamic State terrorist group claimed responsibility for the assaults.

Larijani said terrorism has affected the Muslim world in recent years, while Iran has been grappling with the scourge for years.