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Iranians protest against Gaza blockade

MANAMA: Iranians staged massive rallies on Friday to highlight Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip.

Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad joined the protests and said Israel would soon “fade away”. “The crimes being committed by the Zionist regime [Israel] are happening because it is aware that it has reached the end of the line and will soon fade away from the Earth,” Mehr news agency quoted the President as saying.

Analysts point out that by staging the protests, Iran is sending a message in the region that it has emerged as a genuine champion of Palestinian rights - a position that neighbouring Arab countries had been known for several decades.

According to Iran’s state-run Press TV, demonstrators raised slogans “Death to Israel” and “Death to America” in Tehran. The protesters held banners denouncing Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip. Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani also joined the demonstrators.

Mr. Ahmadinejad said Israel’s blockade was part of an attempt to obstruct their upcoming elections. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’ four-year term ends on January 9.

Palestinians are currently divided between Mr. Abbas’ Fatah and Hamas, which is backed by Iran and Syria. Observers say Iranian influence in West Asia has been on the rise with its allies holding forth in Lebanon and Syria. Iran is also highly influential in oil rich Iraq.

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