Ebrahim Raisi’s Vision for the Palestinian Cause

The late President Ebrahim Raisi of Iran was a devoted advocate for the Palestinian cause, passionately and persuasively articulating his views on the matter. In seeking to capture Raisi’s efforts and perspectives on the Palestinian issue, I was drawn to a lecture he delivered at a summit dedicated to supporting Palestine, held in Riyadh on November 11, 2023. This address eloquently encapsulated his deeply held beliefs and strategic vision for addressing the Palestinian issue. Hearing directly from Raisi himself provides greater insight into his policies toward the Palestinian cause and the Zionist occupation than any third-party analysis could.

Raisi’s discourse at the Riyadh summit revolved around several critical themes: the urgency of immediate interventions, the necessity of humanitarian aid, the imperative of isolating Israel politically and economically, the importance of recognizing and prosecuting war crimes, and the long-term goal of Palestinian sovereignty. These focal points underscored Raisi’s comprehensive approach to supporting the Palestinian people and combating the injustices of the Zionist occupation. He started his lecture with special greetings.

“Salam [salutations] to the holy city of Quds, Salam to Gaza and its children, Salam to Palestine and its unjustly spilled blood, Salam to the honorable resistance of Palestine and Lebanon. Today, Palestine is the touchstone and the measure of Islamic and human dignity.”

Given that the participants of this summit were representatives of Islamic countries, Raisi, began his lecture by addressing what the Islamic world must do. Raisi asserted that the unity and solidarity of the Muslim community are crucial to resolving its challenges. He stressed that the path to salvation for the Islamic Ummah lies in reliance on divine guidance and the inherent strengths of the Muslim people, rather than dependence on hegemonic powers. He added that recognizing this reality, the Iranian government has adopted policies aimed at promoting regional cooperation and cohesion among Islamic nations. Through these initiatives, Iran has extended a hand of friendship and brotherhood to its fellow Muslim countries.

He highlighted the tragic situation in Gaza, describing it as a heroic yet sorrowful land under siege. Over the past two decades, Gaza has been subjected to a complete blockade, rendering it the world’s largest open-air prison. Despite this, the people of Gaza have resisted and persevered, symbolizing the triumph of faith and resilience over oppression. Raisi condemned the Israeli regime for its severe violations of international law, including indiscriminate bombings and the use of prohibited weapons, leading to a catastrophic humanitarian crisis.

Raisi called on Islamic leaders to clarify their stance, positioning themselves either with the noble struggle of the Palestinian people or with the forces of oppression. He accused the United States of being the main accomplice in these atrocities, providing political, military, and economic support to Israel. This support, according to Raisi, emboldens Israel to continue its aggressive actions against Palestinians.

The Iranian president pointed out that the U.S. not only aids Israel through military supplies but also participates in the conflict by deploying its warships to the region and using its veto power in the UN Security Council to block resolutions condemning Israeli actions. He emphasized that the true face of U.S. policy is now evident, as it supports Israel’s genocidal actions in Gaza.

Raisi’s speech highlighted the moral and ethical bankruptcy of the current international order, heavily influenced by the U.S. He called for Islamic nations to take decisive actions and to fill the void left by international bodies that have failed to protect Palestinian rights.

In the continuation of his lecture at the summit for supporting Palestine, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi outlined a series of urgent actions and strategic measures aimed at addressing the crisis in Gaza and supporting the Palestinian cause. He called for immediate and decisive steps to halt the violence and provide humanitarian aid, while also setting forth longer-term strategies for regional solidarity and resistance against Israeli occupation.

Immediate Actions

1. Ceasefire and Protection of Civilians: Raisi demanded the immediate cessation of Israeli attacks on Gaza, particularly those targeting civilians, hospitals, schools, and aid centers. He rejected the notion of “humanitarian pauses” as mere tactics for Israel to escape public scrutiny and continue its operations.

2. Humanitarian Aid and Blockade Lift: He called for the complete lifting of the blockade on Gaza and the unconditional reopening of the Rafah crossing with Egypt to facilitate the entry of food and medical supplies. He urged the formation of an executive committee to ensure coordinated humanitarian efforts from all Islamic nations.

3. Israeli Military Withdrawal: Raisi insisted on the immediate withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, affirming that the land and governance of Gaza belong to the Palestinian people and their elected representatives.

4. Political and Economic Isolation of Israel: He advocated for the severance of all political and economic ties with Israel by Islamic countries. This includes prioritizing energy trade sanctions and supporting grassroots movements to boycott Israeli products.

5. Recognition of Israeli Military as a Terrorist Organization: Raisi suggested, Islamic nations should designate the Israeli military as a terrorist entity, aligning with their collective stance against aggression and occupation.

6. International Tribunal for War Crimes: He proposed the establishment of an international tribunal to prosecute Israeli and American officials responsible for war crimes and genocide against Palestinians.

7. Fund for Gaza Reconstruction: A special fund should be created to facilitate the immediate rebuilding of Gaza, with contributions from all Islamic countries participating in the summit.

8. Humanitarian Caravans: Raisi encouraged the dispatch of humanitarian aid convoys to Palestine from various Islamic nations.

9. Commemoration of Atrocities: He suggested designating a day to remember the Israeli bombing of the Al-Shifa Hospital as a day of genocide and crimes against humanity.

10. Arming Palestinians: If the war crimes persist, Raisi called for Islamic nations to arm Palestinians in their struggle against Israeli occupation.

Long-Term Vision for Palestinian Sovereignty

Raisi reiterated the long-term solution proposed by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran, which involves the establishment of a unified Palestinian state based on democratic principles where every Palestinian, regardless of religion, has a vote. This vision, which has been registered with the United Nations, calls for a single Palestinian state from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, ensuring equal rights for Muslims, Christians, and Jews. Raisi emphasized that Iran firmly supports this democratic approach and views it as the only sustainable solution to the conflict.

Resistance as the Only Effective Strategy

Throughout his speech, Raisi praised the resilience and resistance of the Palestinian people and groups like Hamas, describing them as the pride of the Islamic world. He asserted that resistance remains the only effective strategy against Israeli occupation and aggression. Raisi lauded the recent 35-day stand against Israeli brutality as a remarkable achievement, underscoring that decades of steadfast resistance have demonstrated that no solution other than resistance can push back the occupiers.

Global Awakening and Solidarity

Raisi pointed out the global awakening sparked by Israel’s atrocities in Gaza, thanking European and American citizens who have shown solidarity with Gazans. At the time, he noted that the world was becoming more aware of the crimes, at the tragic cost of 14,000 innocent lives. However, the situation has only worsened in the intervening months, with the current death toll now exceeding 40,000 Palestinians killed. Raisi also highlighted the alarming issue of Israel’s nuclear capabilities, criticizing the international community’s inaction despite Israel’s threats and covert weapons programs. He warned that the international community must wake up to the dangers posed by Israel’s nuclear arsenal, which remains unchecked by any international body.

Ethical and Religious Duty

Raisi framed the Palestinian cause as an ethical and religious duty for the Islamic world. He invoked the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, stressing the importance of defending oppressed Muslims and protecting sacred Islamic sites like the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Raisi called on Islamic nations to take decisive actions to save the Palestinian people, warning that failure to do so would lead to increased public frustration and potentially autonomous actions by the masses.

Conclusion

Raisi’s comprehensive agenda highlights a multi-faceted approach combining immediate humanitarian efforts, political and economic sanctions, legal actions, and sustained resistance, underpinned by a vision for a unified Palestinian state. His speech reflects a deep commitment to the Palestinian cause and a call to the Islamic world to unite in support of justice and resistance against oppression. Through his words and proposed actions, Ebrahim Raisi’s legacy continues to inspire and mobilize efforts towards a just and lasting resolution to the Palestinian crisis.

Again, he ended his speech with salutations, his voice thick with emotion, as he said:

“Salam to the innocent and martyred children of Gaza, Salam to the children who have sought refuge in the Quran amidst the ruins of Gaza and recite the verses of the Quran. Salam to the children who tremble from the horror of oppression. Salam to my dear children in Gaza. Salam to you who today, through your steadfastness in the face of the world’s most equipped armies and the most despicable people on earth, have given meaning to resistance for us. Salam to you who, with your small hands and frail bodies, have depicted the savagery and brutality of the occupying Zionists. The blood-soaked faces of you, the dismembered bodies of you, and your crushed bones under the rubble of American bombs, cry out that we stand firm.”