Iranians have begun anti-Israel “Jerusalem Day” rallies across the country to condemn Israel’s control of the holy city.
Marking anti-Israel ‘Quds Day,’ Iranians take to the streets
STEPANAKERT, JUNE 8, ARTSAKHPRESS: The rallies, including one at Tehran University, were expected to last through Friday prayer ceremonies, The Times of Israel reports.
Chanting “Death to Israel,” demonstrators protested Israel’s control of Jerusalem, the city where Muslims believe Islam’s Prophet Muhammad began his journey to heaven. Palestinians want East Jerusalem for their future capital.
Iran does not recognize Israel and supports anti-Israeli terror groups such as Hamas, which rules Gaza, and Lebanon’s Hezbollah.
Demonstrators also chanted anti-American slogans to condemn the US decision to move its embassy to Jerusalem on May 14.
The official Fars News Agency said in its report of the protests that “millions of Iranians from all walks of life” were taking part in “nearly 900 Iranian cities.” There is no independent report on the numbers of participants in the rallies.
Iran has marked Al-Quds Day since the start of its 1979 Islamic revolution. Al-Quds is the Arabic name for Jerusalem, and Iran says the day is an occasion to express support for the Palestinians.
On Thursday night, Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani issued a statement on his website calling on Iranians to attend the rallies in large numbers.
“Quds day is a historic day when everybody protests against tyrants and voices support of an oppressed people who have been displaced from their homes during the past 70 years,” he is quoted as saying by the official Mehr News site.
The Iran-backed Quds Day is also the last Friday of Ramadan and comes just three days after the Palestinians’ Naksa Day on June 5, which commemorates the Arab loss in the 1967 Six Day War.
