Iranians held a protest rally in Tehran on Friday against Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip.
Shouting "down with the U.S." and "down with Israel," the demonstrators marched on streets leading to the Tehran University, in which the weekly Friday prayer ceremony is held.
In a statement, the protesters denounced that "intensification of cruel blockade imposed on Gazans is undoubtedly the offspring of alliance of the United States, Israel and some Arab states betrayal."
Local ISNA news agency quoted the statement as saying that "Iranians call for all Islamic states to break Gaza blockade employing all their diplomatic and otherwise capabilities to prevent spread of the catastrophe in this region by sending food, medicine and fuel and to pressurize neighboring countries of Palestine to open ways to Gaza."
Meanwhile, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad spoke on the sidelines of the anti-Israel rally, condemning that "Israel's recent crimes stem from its anger," according to the official IRNA news agency.
"Zionists' crimes, especially their recent Gaza crimes, and their pressures and unusual behaviors show that they are angry of knowing the fact," Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying, adding that "Zionists know pretty well that they are at the end of their way and life."
Ayatollah Khatami, substitute Friday prayers leader of Tehran, also deplored "highly tragic and painful" conditions in Gaza and said international organizations' silence has emboldened Israel to continue with its "crimes."
Unfortunately, very tragic situation governs in Gaza as "the tyrant Zionist regime takes human aid laden ships into custody," Khatami said in his sermon.
"No doubt, international organizations' silence is among factors that have emboldened the tyrant and blood soaking Zionist regime to go on with its crimes," Khatami said.
Israel has imposed a near-full closure on the Gaza Strip since early November when Israel launched several military operations in the enclave, while Palestinian militant groups has resumed rocket attacks into Israeli border towns.
Source:Xinhua
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