Kuwait Times

Published Date: December 13, 2008

TEHRAN: Thousands of Iranians yesterday chanted "Death to Israel" and "Death to America" as they demonstrated in Tehran against Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip.

The demonstration took place on streets leading to the Tehran University compound where the weekly Friday prayers is held.

The Jewish state's blockade of Islamist Hamas-ruled Gaza has been tightened since the start of November in retaliation for rocket fire on southern Israel from the coastal strip.

I am sure victory is close and that the breaking of the Zionist regime's bones can be heard," said Mohammad Hassanian, a student with the Basiji, Iran's volunteer militia.

I am here to show my sympathy and support to the Palestinian mothers who are under mounting pressure to provide food for their children," said Akram Maghrebi, a housewife clad in traditional black chador, as scores of women chanted anti-US slogans and "Death to Israel.

Tehran, which does not recognize the Jewish state, is a staunch supporter of Hamas but rejects allegations that it is supplying arms to the Palestinian Islamist movement, saying it only provides moral backing.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has repeatedly called for Israel to be wiped off the map and even called the Holocaust a "myth.

Also taking in the demonstration, Ahmadinejad told reporters: "They have reached the end of the road and their abnormal behavior is due to anger and even their supporters are shaky in backing them.

By committing these atrocities they want to pressure the Palestinians to influence their elections.

In November, Western-backed Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas warned that he would call snap parliamentary and presidential elections if Hamas does not rejoin reconciliation talks with his Fatah party which it drove out of Gaza.

The Friday prayers leader at Tehran University, Ahmad Khatami, slammed the "United Nations, Organisation of Islamic Conference, Egypt, the Europeans and United States" for their inaction on Gaza.

Why is the UN and OIC keeping silent? Where are the European nations who are the defenders of human rights?" Khatami asked in his sermon, broadcast live on state-run radio.

We can see the hands of (US George W.) Bush and (president-elect Barack) Obama in these crimes," he said.

Khatami critisized Egypt's leadership for closing down the Rafah crossing with the Gaza Strip. "By doing this they are cooperating with them (Israel)," he charged.

I am telling the Gazans and Palestinians in the occupied territories that the only way for salvation is by resisting the way Hezbollah did," he said, referring to Lebanon's Shiite militia which fought a 2006 war with Israel.

Earlier this week, Iran's Red Crescent announced plans to send 1,000 tonnes of relief supplies on a ship to Gaza, in the face of an Israeli sea blockade of the territory. On Friday, Red Crescent booths were collecting cash donations. --- AFP