‘Referendum Only Solution to Palestine Issue’

Hossein Amir Abdollahian, the secretary general of an international conference on support for the Palestinian Intifada, has, in a Farsi interview with Al-Alam, elaborated on the different dimensions of the event held in the Iranian capital, Tehran.

Here are excerpts from his remarks in this interview:

The 6th International Conference on Palestinian Intifada is underway in Tehran, marking the centenary of the release of the Balfour Declaration and the 70th anniversary of the division of Palestine as well as the 50th anniversary of the occupation of al-Quds, the first Qibla of world Muslims. So, historically speaking, the conference coincides with three landmark occasions.

Regionally and internationally speaking, two pressing issues on Palestine are at hand. One is the normalisation of relations between some countries and the Israeli regime in both covert and overt domains. The second issue is that some American officials, even President Donald Trump, have reiterated their unflinching support for the Israeli regime and spoken of a plan to transfer the US embassy from Tel Aviv to al-Quds [Jerusalem].

The event is held at a time when, in addition to the above-mentioned issues, foreign interference and Israeli machinations coupled with acts of terror in the region have caused an unstable and critical situation in parts of the Muslim world and prompted efforts by some foreign intelligence services to fuel divisions between Shiites and Sunnis.

Presence of Prominent Figures and Parliamentary Delegations

The participants in the conference are parliamentary delegations from Islamic and Arab countries as well as some non-Islamic states in Latin America. Overall, the two-day conference brings together over 500 foreign guests to exchange views on ways of supporting Palestinians.

Key Topics at the Conference

High on the agenda are the issue of countering the continued construction of Jewish settlements in occupied territories, stopping the Zionisation of al-Quds, reviewing different political, movement-based, resistance and parliamentary plans as well as the issue of NGO’s and non-governmental groups. The delegates are discussing how they can assist Palestinians and help halt Israeli hostilities. They are also discussing how it is possible to deflect some countries’ attention from local and ethnic conflicts by focusing on the issue of Palestine and al-Quds.

Referendum in the Political Arena; Resistance on the Ground

The reality is that referendum is a solution in the political arena, and that the Palestine issue will not be settled without focusing on resistance. Resistance by Hamas, Islamic Jihad and other Palestinian groups in Gaza has kept the Zionist regime of Israel from achieving its goals in wars. Likewise, resistance by Hezbollah during the 2006 Lebanon-Israel war secured the liberation of areas in south Lebanon occupied by Israel. Therefore, the only way to counter Israel’s ambitions is resistance. Iran has explicitly put forward numerous ideas in order to reinforce resistance. Tehran itself has, loud and clear, announced its support for resistance both in occupied Palestine and in the region. In fact, Iran has practical proposals, both at the political level and on the ground, on helping settle the Palestine issue.

Why Is Palestine Important to Iran?

Iran regards Palestine as one of the key issues in the region due to different reasons. First, ideologically speaking, Quds was Muslims’ first Qibla. Second, ethically speaking, the Palestinian people are oppressed. Zionists have had Palestinian territories under occupation for 70 years now and continue to grab more Palestinian land. And the third reason is a political one. Iran, under its Constitution, has announced clearly that it will whole-heartedly defend all oppressed peoples around the world if they ask for help. To that end, we have taken all necessary measures. All measures we adopt are in line with international law. Within that framework, we will continue our strong support for the Palestinian resistance. We believe the Palestinian resistance has not only not been undermined, but is growing and burgeoning in the region.

Palestinian Groups Should Band Together

Iran believes all Palestinian leaders and groups should remain united. We are of the conviction that with a view to resistance against Israeli aggression, it is possible to help resolve the Palestine issue. In the meantime, Palestinian groups should set aside their differences and follow up their issues through cooperation and rapport.

Israel Cannot Wage another War

Israeli authorities may make some threats in their statements, but they do not have what it takes to launch a war in the region. Israeli officials are grappling with numerous internal problems on the one hand, and are not strong enough to stand up to the Palestinian resistance on the other. So, the concept that “Israel poses a threat to the region” is correct in the general sense, but the Palestinian resistance will not allow Israel to launch a military operation and emerge victorious.