ANKARA: Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani accused Western powers of trying to exploit differences between the world’s Sunnis and Shiites to divert attention from the Israel-Palestinian conflict, state television reported on Friday.
Rouhani’s comments came as tens of thousands of Iranians joined anti-Israel rallies across the country to express support for the Palestinians. They chanted “Death to Israel” and “Death to America” and burned the Israeli flag.
“The global arrogance (the United States and its allies) wants to create discord among Muslims ... Unity is the only way to restore stability in the region,” Rouhani said.
“We stand with the dispossessed Palestinian nation.”
Opposition to Israel, which Tehran refuses to recognize, has been a cornerstone of Iranian policy. Shiite Iran backs Palestinian and Lebanese militant groups who oppose peace with Israel.
“The Zionist regime (Israel) is a regional base for America and the global arrogance ... Disunity and discord among Muslim and terrorist groups in the region ... have diverted us from the important issue of Palestine,” Rouhani said.
Iran does not recognize Israel and has marked Al-Quds day since the start of its 1979 Islamic revolution.
Al-Quds is a historic Arabic name for Jerusalem, and Iran says the day is an occasion to express support for the Palestinians and emphasize the importance of Jerusalem for Muslims.
Rouhani’s comments came as tens of thousands of Iranians joined anti-Israel rallies across the country to express support for the Palestinians. They chanted “Death to Israel” and “Death to America” and burned the Israeli flag.
“The global arrogance (the United States and its allies) wants to create discord among Muslims ... Unity is the only way to restore stability in the region,” Rouhani said.
“We stand with the dispossessed Palestinian nation.”
Opposition to Israel, which Tehran refuses to recognize, has been a cornerstone of Iranian policy. Shiite Iran backs Palestinian and Lebanese militant groups who oppose peace with Israel.
“The Zionist regime (Israel) is a regional base for America and the global arrogance ... Disunity and discord among Muslim and terrorist groups in the region ... have diverted us from the important issue of Palestine,” Rouhani said.
Iran does not recognize Israel and has marked Al-Quds day since the start of its 1979 Islamic revolution.
Al-Quds is a historic Arabic name for Jerusalem, and Iran says the day is an occasion to express support for the Palestinians and emphasize the importance of Jerusalem for Muslims.
