Meeting with Participants at the Gaza Conference Opening

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

I extend my warm welcome to all of you dear guests, our respected brothers and sisters. I humbly beseech the Almighty God to grant us and you success in continuing this path and this very great work. We also thank the dear brothers who organized this gathering in Tehran and hope, God willing, that this assembly of yours will be a step forward.

First, I must express my gratitude and appreciation to the Palestinian nation and the people of Gaza. What you mentioned about the advancements of resistance and the steadfastness of Palestine in recent years would not have been possible without the tremendous perseverance of the Palestinian people. Truly, the people of Palestine, the people of Gaza have etched their name in history as the most resilient of nations.

What has transpired for the Palestinian people over the past few years since the onset of the Intifadas and the emergence of genuine resistance is a remarkable phenomenon. This is nothing but divine guidance and assistance. One sees in Gaza all this suffering, all this bitterness, all this pressure; whether during those twenty-two days of war or afterwards until today—where calamities continuously befall the people—but these people stand firm like a mountain. This is a very significant reality; it cannot be overlooked.

My point is that this steadfastness, this spirit must be sustained among the people as much as possible. You said, and rightly so, that the only solution to the Palestinian issue is resistance and struggle. This is correct; however, this resistance and struggle depend on maintaining the spirit of these people, preserving their hope, and keeping them engaged. In my opinion, this is the greatest task that Palestinian groups, organizations, and fighters must undertake. The pressures that today come from both sides, whether from the Zionist enemy or from the other side, are intended to turn the people away from resistance. The pressures exerted on the people in the West Bank; whether in settlement expansions, whether regarding Jerusalem—which they mentioned—whether the strange restrictions, whether in the separation wall and similar matters, are all aimed at diverting the people from resistance and steering them towards the option of surrender. We must not allow this; you must not allow this to happen. The Palestinian people, the people of Gaza, this resilient and steadfast nation must be kept hopeful and know that their great movement will yield results. This is a point that I consider very important.

Another point is that what we observe in the Palestinian issue in terms of progress—which is undeniable—is the increasing power of the resistance front against the front of global arrogance and disbelief, which is evident and clear. What is observed in this regard stems from faith in God, reliance on God, and the incorporation of spirituality into the struggle. If a struggle is not accompanied by the element of faith, it becomes vulnerable. A struggle will succeed only when it possesses faith in God and reliance on the Almighty. You must strengthen the spirit of religion and true faith in God's promises among the people; you must enhance their good opinion of the Almighty and His promises. We ourselves must also have a good opinion of the Almighty. The Almighty is the most truthful of speakers; He tells us: "Indeed, Allah will surely aid those who aid Him"; He tells us: "Whoever is for Allah, Allah is for him"; He says: Do not fear the enemy, "Indeed, the plot of Satan is weak." He instills this in us; He expresses it. The Almighty is truthful. If we fulfill our duty in this path, if we move for God, if we struggle for God, if we set the goal as seeking God's pleasure, undoubtedly victory will be granted.

Let me tell you: The victory of the Palestinian nation in reclaiming their rights is not more difficult than the victory that the Iranian nation achieved in establishing the Islamic Republic in Iran. Back then—when the tyrant ruled this country—if someone looked at the scene of the world and the region, it was absolutely impossible for the tyrannical regime to change here, let alone transform into an Islamic system. This seemed impossible and, according to natural standards, according to ordinary measures, such a thing was not possible; it was not feasible. The unspoken power of America in this region and its unconditional support for the Shah's regime, the lack of any means for the fighters here—meaning our resources at that time in the struggle were far less than the resources that your people have today in Gaza or in the West Bank—yet this event occurred, this impossible became possible; thanks to the continuity of the struggle, thanks to reliance on God, thanks to the determined and resolute leadership of Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified). I say this event can happen regarding Palestine. Some look at the scene, observe America's power, see the West's support for the Zionists, witness the financial networks of the Zionists in America and other parts of the world, see their propaganda power, and it seems to them that restoring Palestine to the Palestinians is an impossible task. I say no, this impossible will become possible; on the condition of steadfastness and resilience. The Almighty says: "So call to Allah and remain steadfast as you have been commanded." Steadfastness is necessary, standing firm is necessary, continuing the path is necessary. One of the prerequisites for this continuation is your gatherings, your coordination, your global propaganda; all the points that you gentlemen made are correct. These proposals are all necessary and correct; they are essential. The public opinion of the world has been poisoned by these.

Today, America and the West are openly lying regarding the Palestinian issue and many other issues; they are openly lying. A great catastrophe like the Gaza catastrophe during the 22-day war is being misrepresented. We must pay attention to this. I want to remind you of this. Today, Gaza and Palestine are the arena of the West's disgrace. The West, with its claims of human rights, has ignored the greatest and most horrific violations of human rights in Gaza. For days on end last year, the Westerners did not utter a word in favor of the people of Gaza and in their defense. Days passed one after another, and we were listening to see if any word would be issued in favor of the people of Gaza from Europe—from America, not to mention—from the so-called human rights organizations, from the so-called freedom defenders. Nothing came. After the uproar of the people rose, people in various countries protested, demonstrated, spoke out, and the disgrace became apparent, they began to speak; only words! The West provided no support for the people of Gaza in the face of such a tremendous catastrophe occurring before everyone's eyes. To this day, the West remains in the same positions. The United Nations has disgraced itself. America was disgraceful and became even more disgraceful. Despite the emergence of the Goldstone report, which everyone became aware of, today the criminal leaders of the Zionist regime must be brought to trial and punished; yet there is no news, no action is taken; rather, support for the usurping and fraudulent Zionist government is increasing! This has disgraced the West. America, with this new government and new president, claimed it wanted to bring about change. The slogan of change was meant to somewhat repair America's disgrace and infamy in this Islamic region; however, they could not repair it and they should know that they will never be able to repair it; because they lie; because they are openly lying to the people. They lie about many issues. Now, we who are in the Islamic Republic constantly see and hear their lies. The distortion of truths and the misrepresentation of realities has been before our eyes for thirty years, and we have become accustomed to it; however, the world will judge, history will judge. Today, Western civilization—I tell you—has been challenged by the Palestinian issue. Today, the claim of Western liberal democracy has been called into question. That is, you, because of your resistance, have undermined a claim that has been imposed on the world by the West for several centuries and invalidated this claim. Resistance is so important and significant; this resistance that you are undertaking.

The issue of Gaza is not merely a piece of land; the issue of Palestine is not just a geographical matter; it is a matter of humanity; it is a matter of human dignity. Today, the Palestinian issue is a benchmark between adherence to human principles and opposition to human principles. This issue is of such importance. America will undoubtedly suffer losses from this transaction. These historical matters, ten years, twenty years, and thirty years in historical transformations are like a moment; they will soon pass. Certainly, the history of America and its future will be defeated by this movement that the Americans have undertaken regarding the Palestinian issue over the past fifty or sixty years. The Palestinian issue will be a source of disgrace for America for centuries to come. Palestine will be liberated; have no doubt about this. Palestine will certainly be liberated and will return to its people, and a Palestinian government will be established there; there is no doubt about this; however, America's disgrace and the disgrace of the West will not be removed. They will remain disgraced. There is no doubt that based on the truths that the Almighty has decreed, a new Middle East will take shape. This Middle East will be an Islamic Middle East; just as the Palestinian issue is an Islamic issue. All nations are responsible regarding Palestine. All governments are responsible regarding Palestine; whether Muslim governments or non-Muslim governments. Any government that claims to support humanity is responsible; however, the duty of Muslims is heavier. Islamic governments are obliged and must fulfill this duty, and any government that does not fulfill its duty regarding the Palestinian issue will suffer the consequences; because the nations have awakened and are demanding from their governments, and governments are compelled to yield and submit to this issue.

For us in the Islamic Republic, the Palestinian issue is not a tactical matter; it is not a political strategy; it is a matter of belief, a matter of the heart, a matter of faith. Therefore, there is no distance between us and our people in this regard; as much as we care for the Palestinian issue, our people—those who understand what the Palestinian issue is, which is the vast majority of our nation, indeed the entirety of our nation—share the same motivation. You observe on Quds Day and on the last Friday of Ramadan each year, which the Imam designated as Quds Day, that people come out in large cities, in small cities, even in villages, just like the rallies on the 22nd of Bahman—the 22nd of Bahman is a reminder and anniversary of our revolution's victory, which is a matter related to our nation and within the country—showing the same sentiments; demonstrating the same presence that they show on the 22nd of Bahman. On Quds Day, too, people in all cities of the country, in all large and small cities and villages, come out into the streets; whether the weather is hot or cold; and they show their presence and motivation. Know that if we—those of us who are responsible for the country—did not hold the people back, many of our youth would have set out to participate in the Palestinian cause with their own bodies. In the Gaza issue, our youth went to the airport; no matter what they did, they would not return; they came back only with my message. If I had not sent a message, they would not have returned from the airport. They said, take us so we can go to Gaza; they thought they could reach Gaza themselves. This is the motivation of our youth. The issue of Gaza and the issue of Palestine is our issue; it is our Islamic issue; it is the issue of all Muslims, and it is our duty. Whatever we do is our duty; we owe no one anything; we have fulfilled our responsibilities. We also ask the Almighty God to help us fulfill our duties; however, you friends who are present here, based on the points that these gentlemen made: that the essence is struggle; that there is no solution other than resistance regarding the Palestinian issue, stand firm on these statements. State these points clearly; do not allow political niceties and political maneuvering to overshadow this logic. Anyone among the Palestinians who steps away from the path of resistance suffers loss. Israel's request for peace is not sincere; even if it were sincere, it would be wrong, and it has no right here; but it is not sincere. Those who entered negotiations were forced to accept the enemy's impositions. If for a moment they deviated from the path of the enemy's impositions, they were either eliminated or humiliated; you have seen examples of both. Some were eliminated, some were humiliated and misled. The path to Quds, the path to Palestine, the path to resolving the Palestinian issue, is nothing but the path of struggle, which the gentlemen stated, and I am pleased to see that this issue is agreed upon among you all and that you all accept it. Anyone who does not accept this path, knowingly or unknowingly, is harming the Palestinian issue. If knowingly, it is called treason; if unknowingly, it is called ignorance and negligence; in any case, it is a blow to the Palestinian issue; they are harming the Palestinian issue. Palestine has no path other than resistance; this must be stated, this must be demanded; Islamic governments must also repeat this. Of course, many Arab governments have performed very poorly regarding the Gaza issue and before that in other issues; they have performed very poorly. Whenever the Palestinian issue was discussed, they always said the Palestinian issue is an Arab issue! When it came time for action, the Palestinian issue was completely removed from all their equations, and instead of helping Palestine, helping the Palestinians, helping their Arab brothers—if they do not believe in Islam, at least they should adhere to their Arab identity—they all retreated from the field! They have performed very poorly. This will also remain in history. And these rewards and punishments are not only related to the Hereafter; they are also like this in this world. Just as God's assistance to you who are struggling is not limited to there. In this very verse that was recited—which Mr. Khaled Mashal also repeated—the angels say: "We are your allies in this world and in the Hereafter." Therefore, it is not only for the Hereafter; in this world, too, the angels of God and the divine spiritual forces assist those who: "Say, Our Lord is Allah, then remain steadfast." These assist.

Now we see their assistance in this world; we observe it with our own eyes. The angels of God assisted us in our eight-year defense; we saw this assistance with our own eyes. Now, a person immersed in materialism may not believe it; well, let them not believe it; we saw this assistance. Today, too, the angels of God are assisting us; today, too, it is with divine assistance that we stand firm. Our military power cannot be compared to America; our economic power, our financial resources, our propaganda capabilities, our political activity scope cannot be compared to America; yet, we are stronger than the Americans. Although they are wealthier, they are more armed, they have more propaganda capabilities, they have more financial and political resources; yet, they are weaker, and we are stronger. The reason for our strength is that in all these fields where we confront America, it retreats step by step; we do not retreat; we move forward. This is a sign; this is by the grace of Islam; this is by the grace of divine assistance and the help of the angels of God. We believe in these; we have faith in these; we see them with our own eyes. And God willing, the day will come when the holy Quds, despite the concerns expressed regarding Quds—which are real concerns—will fall into the hands of Muslims; perhaps many of you will witness it; whether we are here or not; in any case, this will be witnessed one day by the Palestinian people and the people of the world.

Once again, I thank you all and am pleased to have met your gathering here. Our conversation with you is extensive; our discussion cannot be concluded in these few minutes; however, it is noon, and it is time for prayer, and we must go. God willing, I hope that you all will be successful and supported.

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.