Statements of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution in Friday Prayer Sermons in Tehran

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful Thanks be to God, the Lord of the worlds. Thanks be to God, the breaker of tyrants. The destroyer of oppressors. The refuge of the fleeing. The avenger of the oppressors. The cry of the distressed. The place of the needs of the seekers. The trusted one of the believers. We praise Him, seek His help, ask for His forgiveness, rely on Him, and send blessings and peace upon His beloved, His chosen one, the best of His creation, the guardian of His secrets and the deliverer of His messages, our master, Abu al-Qasim al-Mustafa Muhammad, and upon his pure and chosen progeny. The guided, infallible leaders, especially the Awaited One of God on the earth. And send blessings upon the leaders of the Muslims, the protectors of the oppressed, and the guides of the believers. I advise you, O servants of God, to have piety towards God.

I recommend all dear brothers and sisters who are present for prayer to observe piety and God-consciousness. The Almighty God promises that if you are pious; that is, if you are careful about your behavior, your speech, and your actions in life, and do not transgress the divine commands, God will grant you guidance, light, relief, sustenance, and worldly and otherworldly happiness. Our first and last word is to observe piety. Especially you dear youth, whose pure and luminous hearts are ready to accept the truth and to connect with the Almighty God; cherish this readiness and purity and strengthen your relationship with God.

All of us, especially those who bear responsibilities, have a rational duty to consider God and our duties in all our actions, speeches, writings, and all our positions and recommendations to those who accept our advice. The path to salvation in this world and the hereafter is this and nothing else. In the first sermon, I find it necessary to sincerely thank our dear people for the respect they have shown to Hussein ibn Ali (peace be upon him) in action and speech. This year, when the days of the new year coincided with the days of Ashura, for some time before the days of Farvardin, the enemy's propaganda apparatus, in centers where their only thought is to divert our people, our brave and faithful nation, from their true positions, exerted all their efforts to diminish the significance of Muharram and Ashura in the eyes of the people. However, the people, with their presence in the mourning ceremonies and the extraordinary commemorations they showed this year during Ashura, once again proved to everyone that the Iranian nation has chosen its path with knowledge and awareness. This year, as I received reports from various points, the mourning ceremonies were not less fervent and populated than in previous years. This does not mean that the people do not pay attention to the beginning of spring, Farvardin, and the new year; no, this year our Nowruz was dressed in mourning; this year our new year was Ashura-like. Ashura itself is a ceremony that brings enthusiasm, movement, growth, thought, and reflection to people. Ashura is not a dry and empty ceremony; it is a ceremony that contains thought, planning, goals, awareness, and knowledge. The people appreciated the ceremonies related to Sayyid al-Shuhada (peace be upon him).

It is also spring, there is the growth of nature and the growth of humanity, and there is physical vitality and freshness. These all completely align and interact in the behavior of our dear people. Therefore, it is appropriate to express gratitude to our faithful and noble people. I would also like to add that the importance given to prayer at noon on Ashura and amidst the mourning ceremonies was another prominent point. We have always suffered from seeing our youth and people performing mourning on the day of Ashura while their prayers are close to sunset. The people demonstrated the importance of prayer and the remembrance of God amidst the mourning ceremonies of Ashura; thus, it deserves gratitude and thanks. One reminder regarding the issues related to Farvardin: Firstly, these long and unreasonable holidays have no rational logic. It is not good that at the beginning of the year, consecutive days - sometimes two weeks and sometimes more - all activities in the country come to a halt. It is against regulations; according to regulations, holidays are limited. We have many holidays throughout the year, which is detrimental to the country. In some countries around the world, according to a list I observed, all official holidays throughout the year do not exceed five or six days. However, our holidays are very numerous. In addition, some people, with their negligence and disregard for work, science, education, and daily life and administrative and constructive tasks, add to these holidays; especially at the beginning of the year. After all, at the beginning of the year, it is the start of a new financial and work period. My strong recommendation is that both officials and all our dear people decide to reduce these holidays. These consecutive holidays bring about harms that, although not immediately apparent, will have detrimental results for everyone.

I also have a recommendation regarding this beginning of the new financial and work period that is the beginning of the year to our dear people. Our dear people have given good tests in various fields. Therefore, it is necessary that this continuity towards improvement and the elevation of spiritual life, social relations, and the social and political atmosphere of society be considered throughout the year by the people themselves.

In our narrations, it is stated that believers have compassion and empathy for one another; that is, they show mercy to each other and exhibit kindness. This is a moral duty and has an impact on our social progress and construction. Have compassion for one another. People should have compassion for one another so that God may have mercy on them. When there is compassion, kindness, good opinion, and love in the hearts of people towards one another, the atmosphere of society becomes a heavenly atmosphere. When there is animosity, ill will, and suspicion in the hearts of individuals, motivated by political or personal motives, the atmosphere of society becomes dark and bitter. Let us cooperate with one another, help one another, and have forgiveness towards each other. Political disputes are detrimental to the country. Not only today, when the enemy threatens us, but always harmful; it is detrimental to construction and to getting the economic wheels turning. If some create new issues every day and draw public attention to a fictitious matter, these are harmful to the country. This year, everyone, especially speakers, writers, politicians, and those on podiums and platforms, should decide to create an atmosphere of love and kindness; not to provoke minds and hearts against one another; we have much work to do in this country. Officials have work, the government has work, the judiciary has work, the parliament has work; all have important and fundamental tasks; everyone must strive with all their strength and existence so that we can lead the country to a safe and prosperous destination, and this is possible; this is possible. We are a great nation, endowed with numerous elements of power among ourselves; we have faith, determination, and will; our nation is like this and has shown this in various fields. Our youth have intelligence, talent, and innovation; our officials have interest, sincerity, and efficiency. We could have gotten our tasks underway much sooner and better than this. What helps this matter is the tranquility of the political and social atmosphere of society. Let us maintain this tranquility; this is a help to ourselves, and this is an instance of the same piety that I mentioned at the beginning of my remarks; let us practice divine piety; this is an instance of that piety. We thank God that He has illuminated the hearts of our nation with His knowledge and with the knowledge of His saints. We thank God that He has made our nation an aware and sensitive nation that is concerned about important global issues; it understands the issues and is not indifferent to global events. This elevates the decision-making power of the nation. We must take advantage of these great opportunities.

O Lord! By Muhammad and the family of Muhammad and by the rank and status of the Master of Martyrs and the Leader of the Free, Hussein ibn Ali (peace be upon him) - whose days are days of mourning - we beseech You, keep us steadfast and firm on Your path and in pursuit of Your goals. O Lord! Establish and strengthen the determination and will of our dear nation on this proud and honorable path. O Lord! Grant victory to the Iranian nation over its enemies. O Lord! Make the ill-wishers of the Iranian nation, wherever they are and under any guise and slogan they hide, unsuccessful and humiliated. O Lord! Bring the dear Iranian nation to its great goals; unite our high-ranking martyrs with the Prophet; unite our high-ranking Imam with his saints - with the Prophet.

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful By time. Indeed, mankind is in loss. Except for those who have faith and do righteous deeds and advise one another to truth and advise one another to patience.

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful Thanks be to God, the Lord of the worlds. And blessings and peace be upon our master and prophet, Abu al-Qasim al-Mustafa Muhammad, and upon his pure and chosen progeny. Especially upon the Commander of the Faithful and the pure and chaste lady, the Mistress of the Women of the Worlds, and upon Hasan and Husayn, the two grandsons of mercy and the Imams of guidance, and upon Ali ibn Husayn, Zain al-Abidin, and Muhammad ibn Ali, al-Baqir al-Uloom, and Ja'far ibn Muhammad, al-Sadiq, and Musa ibn Ja'far, al-Kazim, and Ali ibn Musa, al-Ridha, and Muhammad ibn Ali, al-Jawad, and Ali ibn Muhammad, al-Hadi, and Hasan ibn Ali, al-Zaki, al-Askari, and the Awaited Proof, the Mahdi. O God, send upon them a continuous, pure, and abundant prayer and send blessings upon the leaders of the Muslims, the protectors of the oppressed, and the guides of the believers.

The issue I wish to address in the second sermon today is the very important issue of Palestine and the catastrophe that is currently unfolding in the Palestinian territories of the dear Islamic country of Palestine. Before starting this discussion, I once again advise everyone to observe divine piety. In this discussion we are having, let us all keep God in mind, that what is our duty, we should express it verbally and act upon it.

What is happening today in the Palestinian territories of the country of Palestine is an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe. Throughout the history of Palestine, we have not encountered anything similar to this in terms of intensity, violence, and cruelty. The crimes occurring in Palestine are truly shocking. The fake Zionist government, with military capabilities, tanks, and soldiers - I have heard that about thirty thousand forces and hundreds of tanks have entered! - invade cities and streets and create catastrophes. The cities of Ramallah, Nablus, Gaza, Khan Yunis, Bethlehem, Rafah, and other Palestinian areas are all suffering from this calamity. They are doing things that we have not seen in recent times with such intensity and violence! They destroy homes, attack the humble houses of Palestinians with tanks and bulldozers - both in these cities and in the camps - and displace families. They kill men and women who come under their swords without any consideration. I have heard that they are detaining young men and men - from ages thirteen to fifty - and have taken many of the men of these families, especially the youth and adolescents, to places whose whereabouts are unknown! News that has occasionally leaked from inside the detention centers and has been reflected in the world's media indicates that they are torturing and abusing them, and even inside these detention centers, they are handcuffed. They have attacked mosques and churches in Bethlehem and have prevented ambulances, food, and medicine from reaching the injured. It has been reported that they even fire upon ambulances, and many of the injured in these events have died from bleeding and lack of medicine. They even attack hospitals and pharmacies and loot centers and shops that contain food supplies. People in Ramallah and some other cities do not dare to leave their homes. Women, children, these displaced families, and those who have to go to the homes of relatives and others because their roofs have collapsed, God knows what calamities and hardships they are enduring. Water and electricity have been cut off in some of these cities. They have reached such audacity that they have attacked the residence of the President of the self-governing authority in Ramallah and have occupied it; that is, the same government that they themselves recognized, they themselves established, and they themselves signed! In short, they have created a strange situation and have raised the voice of the world!

Politicians who were previously hesitant to say a word against the Zionist government due to their reluctance are now openly protesting. Muslim nations everywhere are angry and boiling. If the governments did not hold back the Muslim nations and Arab nations, it would be seen what this one billion Muslims could do! The issue is that the symbol of bloodthirstiness, savagery, and disregard for all human standards, human rights, and human values - which are these Zionist soldiers - stand on one side, and the symbol of heroic and oppressed resistance - which is the oppressed Palestinian nation - stands on the other side. I invite the global conscience to judge and evaluate. All the words that are presented as political analysis, solutions, and recommendations are mere myths and illusions in the face of this reality. The reality is that a nation is being humiliated in its own home, detained, killed, its youth taken from it, and the security of its life, property, and home is threatened by the usurpers of that land. Now let the global conscience judge; who is right here and what is the duty of humanity? We do not need anything else; let them place this reality before themselves and see what is happening? At the beginning of their rule, when these Zionists came to power - fifty-four years ago - they did not allow the world to understand what atrocities they were committing; but today the world sees. Of course, televisions and cameras cannot show the truth. They can only show a part of the truth; a picture and a shadow of the truth; the reality is much more than this and much more bitter. Let them judge the reality based on the television footage that is broadcast around the world - where it is broadcast. Of course, the Zionists, who control many media and communication devices or are under their influence, do not allow the truths to become clear. But people should search; the nations of the world should search. This is the reality of the matter. This is an issue that is happening these days; it is not related to the past; it belongs to the very time that you and I are speaking here together.

They have attacked churches. Well; Christians of the world should at least defend that Christian priest who was killed during his worship ceremony just a few days ago. He lost his life in the siege of the church in Bethlehem and during the attack of the Zionists on the church in front of the eyes of those who had sought refuge in that church. This issue is not an Islamic issue; it is a human issue; it is a humanitarian issue; here the criterion for judgment is being human, understanding human values. Well; this is the reality. Of course, some governments in Europe and outside of Europe have taken positions. Although these positions have been weak, they have at least shown some discontent towards Israel; however, the position of America: America has taken the worst position in this issue; there cannot be a worse one. In these seven, eight, or ten days that these events have intensified, the President of America has spoken two or three times. The last time was just yesterday; a lengthy speech, almost entirely in support of the operations and actions of Israel! For the sake of not leaving his statement empty, during this speech, after numerous supports for the Zionist criminals, he also included that "the Israeli government should not build Jewish settlements in the Palestinian territories." Well; he knows, and the whole world knows that this is a false, superficial, and shallow recommendation. For years, global assemblies have passed resolutions, and global power centers and world politics have stated that the Israelis have no right to build Jewish settlements in the Palestinian territories. This same predator, who is currently at the head of power in occupied Palestine, when he was the Minister of Housing, stood against all of this and said, "I will build," and he has continued to do so until now. Who listens to these words? He knows that they do not listen. Unconditional support for the Zionists, with weak logic, with flawed and unacceptable logic for the minds of the world's people. This current President of America, unfortunately, from the moment he came to power until now, has dealt a blow to global peace and security with every speech and every action. The decisions he has made are all against global peace and security. He withdrew from the Kyoto Protocol, which was a global environmental treaty signed by the previous President of America. He withdrew from the treaty limiting anti-missile weapons, expanded his nuclear activities, and openly and explicitly announces it. After the events of September 11 in New York, every time he has spoken, he has either threatened the world or humiliated nations, or invited the American people and the peoples of the West to hate Muslims and all Easterners, or announced future attacks of his on this or that place, or threatened countries with nuclear attacks. His words and positions are exactly the opposite of global peace and security. Who manages these things? It is a matter of contemplation. Who guides these newly arrived, ambitious, and spiritually ignorant individuals in politics towards this situation they are creating? It is very worthy of contemplation.

This same President of America defends the actions of the usurping Israeli government and says Israel is defending itself! Israel is committing these massacres, and he says Israel is defending itself and considers its actions as a fight against terrorism! Is killing women, children, and young people and destroying the mud houses of Palestinians with bulldozers self-defense?! The ones who are defending themselves are the Palestinian nation. The ones who have come to the end of their patience with the oppression of the usurping occupiers are these Palestinian men and women who have lost their ability to endure and have found the solution in coming to the scene. Who is willing to send their young ones into a bloody event to be killed an hour later! This is why a mother embraces her young one, kisses him, but does not cry. She says, "I send him forth." Look at what you have done to this mother! Look at what you have done to this nation that is willing to send its young ones to the field in this way and says, "If I have a hundred young ones, I will send them to be killed like this." What have you done to this nation that a seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl is willing to strap a bomb to herself, go among the Zionist enemies, and destroy herself so that they may perish? You have blocked all paths for them. And then you say the Israeli government is defending itself! Is this defense?! Is this a logical statement? Is this a statement worthy of a President? Is this a statement worthy of a government that considers itself the leader of the world and says that the whole world must obey me? Should the peoples of the world support and obey this flimsy argument and this weak logic? You have humiliated a nation, taken its home from it by deceit and violence, ruined its life, and daily humiliate it; as it moves from one city to another, it must be controlled by foreigners in its own home and country. If they come to attack and kill someone, their government sits down and approves that these people should be assassinated wherever they are seen! Where else in the world can such a thing be found, except among these Zionists? And then they call this nation terrorists and in defense of these shameless, savage, and disgraceful terrorists, they say: they are defending themselves. Can the American government take a worse position than this? The actions of Israel also began with these American approvals. If America did not approve, if it did not show a green light, if it did not promise support, they would not have dared to enter like this. They are emboldened by the baseless support of America, which is why they commit all these crimes. Therefore, America is complicit in all the crimes that are currently taking place in Palestine.

Pay attention! The Intifada of the Palestinian nation is the uprising of a nation. The Palestinian nation has taken its hand out of its sleeve; do not attribute this to anyone else. A nation has risen; its dignity, honor, identity, and awareness have brought it to the field, and now you call them terrorists?! Are these the terrorists?! If the Israeli government claims to be facing a small group, then why do they invade the homes of the people? Why do they destroy homes and why do they commit so many crimes in the streets and markets? Go confront that small group. What sin have the women and children committed? Flawed logic upon flawed logic, flawed premises, flawed conclusions; and then such statements are uttered by a President in front of the eyes of the world and for the sake of not leaving his statement empty, he accuses this government and that government - the Islamic Republic, Iraq, Syria, and others. These claims make America detested in the eyes of the world; they do not realize this. Today, in the Islamic world, there is no government more detested than the American government. This same President of America, who was speaking to his own people - at the time when they were about to attack Afghanistan - said that there are those who are filled with hatred. Yes; it was not just specific to the people of Afghanistan. Then they conducted surveys and polls, and it was published in the media: in all Islamic and Arab countries, it became clear that a decisive majority of people detest America; but this hatred, contrary to what he claimed, is not hatred of science, nor hatred of civilization. He says these people are against civilization, against science. No; either you have misunderstood or you are stating falsehood. People are not against science and civilization. The people of Islamic countries are not detested by the people of America either. This hatred is directed towards the American ruling body - the President of America and those who formulate the policies of America behind him. People detest these individuals. Well; the logic of America today is that the world must be governed by force! They say we have power, we have weapons; we will force the world to accept and act upon what we want; but they are mistaken; this cannot happen, such a thing is impossible. Before them, throughout history, there have been those who thought they could ride over their own nations or other nations with force and bayonets and rule. The world has seen Hitlers, has seen the early leaders of the Soviet Union; the world has seen some other powers both in this time and before this time; they failed. The Americans themselves experienced this in Vietnam. The day America entered Vietnam after the French left, the powerful and political leaders of America had no doubt that they would exit victorious. For seven, eight, or ten years, they killed, tortured, and destroyed farms there with apparent displays of power; in the end, they exited Vietnam in 1975, defeated and humiliated. The whole world acknowledged and accepted that they had failed. Vietnam remained entirely in the hands of the Vietnamese people, and they were forced to leave.

They do not know that there is a power that is greater than their weapon power, and that is the power of nations, the power of human beings. Any nation that believes in a principle, a logic, and a thought basis and stands firmly by that logic, no power - whether atomic or greater or lesser than atomic - can subdue it. They have underestimated the power of nations and the power of the Almighty God, which stands behind the will and determination and actions of nations: "We extend to these and those"; every group that works for the goals it believes in, the Almighty God will assist and support it. If a group is faithful to God, then confronting it and defeating it becomes ten times more difficult; is it easy?! Anyone who confronts this force - the force of nations and human beings - will be crushed. America will also be crushed. They want to destroy the resistance power of the Palestinian nation, and they cannot. Well; what will happen in the end? This incident that is happening today has both outward and inward aspects. Its outward aspect is what we have mentioned: a group is attacking men, women, the elderly, and children with force, bayonets, and tanks, supported by the political backing of America. They kill them, destroy their homes, handcuff them, humiliate them; they drive them away from their homes and lives with insults, displacing families. This is the outward aspect of the matter. But the inward aspect is that this seemingly dominant power is melting away, dissolving. The Palestinian nation has made a decision; the Palestinian resistance organizations, including Fatah, Hamas, the Popular Front, Jihad, Hezbollah, and others, have come together and made a decision. They have all reached a conclusion and found the path of sacrifice; they have understood that the way to save Palestine is to prepare for sacrifice. They have experienced martyrdom and have understood that the enemy is powerless in the face of martyrdom, the quest for martyrdom, and fearlessness of death. "Yasser Arafat" has also sent a message that he is ready for martyrdom; this is a good decision. We hope he does not retract this decision and stands by this word. The one who is martyred in the way of God remains - his thought and personality remain - but the one who does not willingly go towards sacrifice for his cause may keep his body alive for a while, but his personality and identity perish. Martyrdom; this is what the Palestinian people have discovered, and we hope that the officials of the self-governing authority, as they have said, will stand by this word and accompany their people on this path and not surrender; the enemy is becoming weaker day by day.

All the hopes of the Zionist extremists were pinned on this predator who is currently at the head of power and at the head of that fake and false government. Their hope was that he would come with an iron boot and with a steel fist and bayonet could bring the Palestinian people, who have risen up, to their knees and extinguish the Intifada; however, since the day he came, the Intifada has gained more and more flame. This was their last hope. Internally, there is now discord among them. Those who had come from afar to live securely in this usurped land and country are now thinking of returning. Many of them are in the process of returning, and no one dares to come anymore. They are demoralized, feel weak, and there is discord among themselves. They are hopeless about their future and do not see a bright horizon for themselves. These usurping Zionists are in a state of panic and haste, and their actions and words indicate this. If these events are bitter and sorrowful for the Palestinian nation, they are also very bitter for their enemy. This noble verse of the Quran is very eloquent: "If you suffer, they too suffer as you suffer, and you hope from God what they do not hope." If you experience pain and suffering in this struggle, the enemy also experiences pain and suffering; he too is wounded, harder than you. The difference is that the Palestinian nation has a bright horizon ahead; however, the usurping Zionist does not have this bright horizon. The Palestinian nation has a bright horizon that it can reach; with the effort and endeavor that everyone makes.

Well; now what is the solution? We have solutions for this issue. The solutions that are presented are not solutions. Palestine has been an important issue in the world and the Middle East for the past fifty years. In order for this important issue and this complex problem to be resolved, two types of solutions have always been proposed: one wrong solution, one correct solution. The wrong solution is to negotiate with this usurper who is neither committed to human values nor to international laws, and does not abide by the resolutions of international organizations, and to reach an agreement with him. This solution is wrong in any form it may take. Israel has shown that it does not adhere to any of its signatures; if it makes an agreement, signs, it will not remain committed. The strongest and most powerful argument for this is the current situation in Ramallah. Well; they themselves sat down and signed in Oslo; they recognized the self-governing authority. Now tell me; is this the behavior they are showing towards the self-governing authority and their negotiating partner - that is, Yasser Arafat? They do not adhere to their own signatures. Any signature that the opposite side gives them, they step on that signature and take a step forward. This is their nature. This solution is not a correct solution. Of course, the audience I am addressing is not those who want to preserve this cancerous tumor at any cost. They will not accept this statement; we know this. However, my audience is the Arab governments, the Islamic governments, the Muslim nations, and the awakened consciences everywhere in the world; I am speaking to them. This solution, which is to throw bait into the mouth of this aggressor and make him fatter so that he can take the next step, is not a solution; this is the fifty-year experience of Palestine. Resolutions have been issued in the United Nations. Although America, which has been a defender of the Zionists, has superficially signed these resolutions, this usurper has not acted upon these resolutions, and no one has said, "You have an eyebrow above your eye!" With such a government and such a party, what negotiation can one have?! This solution is a wrong solution; this is not a correct solution.

However, there is a logical solution for this issue. The logical solution is one that all the awakened consciences of the world and all those who believe in the concepts of today's world must accept. A year and a half ago, we also stated this solution, and the Islamic Republic has repeatedly reiterated it in international assemblies and negotiations. Now we say the same and insist on it: the solution is to consult the people of Palestine themselves; all those who have been displaced from Palestine; of course, those who wish to return to their homeland and their homes in Palestine. This is a logical matter. Those who are wandering in Lebanon, Jordan, Kuwait, Egypt, and other Arab countries should return to their country and their homes in Palestine - those who wish to; we do not say to force anyone to come back - and those who were in Palestine before 1948, the year the fake Israeli government was formed - whether they are Muslims, Christians, or Jews - should be consulted. These people should determine the ruling regime over the land of Palestine in a public referendum. This is democracy. How is it that democracy is good for the whole world, but democracy is not good for the people of Palestine?! How is it that all the people of the world have the right to intervene in their destiny, but the people of Palestine do not have the right?! No one doubts that the regime currently in power in Palestine is a regime that has come to power by force, deceit, and trickery, and does not abide by international laws; there is no doubt about this. The Zionists did not come peacefully; they came partly by trickery and partly by the force of arms and pressure; thus, they have an imposed regime. Very well; let the people of Palestine gather, vote, and choose the type of regime that should govern this country. That regime and that government should be formed and make decisions regarding those who came to Palestine after 1948; whatever decision they make. If they decide to stay, then let them stay; if they decide to leave, then let them leave. This is both the people's opinion, democracy, human rights, and in accordance with the current logic of the world. This is the solution. Well; this solution must be implemented. The usurper will not accept this solution with sweet words! Here, all parties involved in the matter must consider themselves responsible; both the Arab governments, the Islamic governments, the Muslim nations everywhere, especially the Palestinian nation itself, and the global assemblies. Each has a responsibility to insist that this logical solution must be realized, and it can be realized. Some should not say, "Sir! Such a thing is a dream and impossible; no! It is possible. The Baltic Sea countries returned to independence after more than forty years of being part of the former Soviet Union. The Caucasus region countries, some of which were under Tsarist Russia about a hundred years before the formation of the Soviet Union, returned and became independent. Now Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and others are independent; they are themselves. So this is possible. It is not that this is an impossible matter; no, it is achievable. However, it requires will and determination, courage and bravery. Who should show courage? The nations or the governments? The nations are brave; the nations are not afraid; the nations have shown that they are ready. Therefore, the governments have a duty here; at the forefront of all, the Arab governments. The recent summit of Arab leaders in Beirut was not a good summit. They could have made very significant use of this meeting, which would not only benefit Palestine but also benefit the Arab governments themselves. Today, the Arab governments can step forward and gain the popularity and support of their nations in the Palestinian issue. If a government is supported by its people, then America cannot do anything against it; it will no longer fear America, nor will it feel the need to consider America. In this matter, the Arab governments could have done many good things and can still do.

I believe that one of the important things that the Arab governments can do is to use oil exporters. The statement that the Westerners have spread in the world that you should not use oil as a weapon is not correct. Oil belongs to the nations and should be used for their benefit. The Americans have used wheat and food products as weapons; they do so in many places around the world. Why should the Islamic and Arab countries not have this right? For one month - just one month - symbolically and as a gesture, they should cut oil exports to all countries that have friendly relations with Israel. Today, the world relies on the movement of factories, lighting, and energy, which are three essential elements of life, from our oil. If our oil is not made available to them, the movement of factories, lighting, and heating will stop. Is this not a small matter? The Arab governments should do this for their own sake. For one month - not permanently - symbolically as a show of support for the Palestinian nation, they should do this, and the world will be shaken. This is one of the things they can do.

Another thing they can do is to cut all political and economic relations and contracts with the Zionist government and not cooperate at all. The Arab nations will be pleased with this. The Arab nations will stand behind those governments that take this courageous action; woe to the government that its people find out that it has intelligence and security relations with Israel from behind! The Islamic governments also have responsibilities. Their duties are no less than those of the Arab governments; because this issue is not just an Arab issue; it is a humanitarian and Islamic issue. The Islamic governments, each of which has oil capabilities and the like, can act in the same way. The conference that the foreign ministers of Islamic countries held in Malaysia was not a good conference. Of course, they expressed their position and existence; however, it was weak. They should have taken stronger actions. All these Islamic governments, all these Islamic countries, while their Muslim brothers are so trapped; they should have taken stronger actions.

All nations can also have an impact on this issue and participate in it. All Muslim nations can help. Financial assistance to the Palestinians is not limited to governments; it is not that a certain government says, "Sir! I have given ten million dollars, twenty million dollars, fifty million dollars"; it is not clear where it has been given, how it has been given, to whom it has been given. Today, the Palestinian nation is in need of food, in need of medicine. The Palestinian nation is not a beggar; it is noble, but it is under the yoke of the enemy. Everyone is obliged to help them. Suppose that in all of the Islamic world - in our country and other countries - every individual of the people contributes just one thousand tomans to the Palestinian people; see what happens! One billion thousand tomans, what impact it will have on the lives of the Palestinian people!

Every family, for the number of family members, each contributing one thousand tomans, at least; anyone who wants to give more can give more - and send this to the Palestinian nation. Prepare food, medicine, facilities, and everything they need for standing firm and resisting, and send it. This is something that nations can do; it should not be necessary for a certain government to say, "I will give this much." Now how much it gives, how it gives, whether it gives or does not give; and then be threatened by a power. Nations should participate in this; what can they do against nations?! In our country, if people want to do this, they can collect these thousands of tomans in the relief centers like the Red Crescent and the Relief Committee and these relief organizations that exist. This will become a huge wealth and can help the Palestinian people. And beyond material assistance, moral support is important; because the Palestinians feel that the hearts of nations are with them. The demonstrations that have taken place these days in the Islamic world are very valuable. This movement that you are about to make and march to the Palestinian Square and in front of the Palestinian embassy is a very valuable act. These are very valuable; this news will be reflected, and the oppressed Palestinian people will feel that the nations are behind them. Of course, our nation has never fallen short in these matters; whenever called upon for this issue, it has participated and expressed its position. And finally, global assemblies and the United Nations must become active. These human rights assemblies, which are always or mostly in the service of imperialist goals, should, even once, contrary to the wishes of the imperialist apparatus, enter in favor of the nations; direct public opinion in the world towards themselves, condemn the oppressor and aggressor, and support the oppressed Palestinian nation. If these pressures are exerted, Iran's plan regarding Palestine will be implemented, and the aggressor will be compelled. If the Arab governments, the Islamic governments, the Muslim nations, and the global assemblies all become active in this path, that work will be feasible. Anyone who falls short in this regard will certainly be held accountable in the eyes of the nations, in the eyes of history, and above all, in the presence of the Almighty God. We all have a duty.

O Lord! By Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, bring the relief of Islam and Muslims, especially the relief of the oppressed Palestinian nation closer.

O Lord! By Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, place these oppressive, aggressive, and tyrannical individuals back in their places with Your might and punishment. O Lord! Grant dignity to Islam and Muslims and increase the dignity and honor of the Muslim nation of Iran day by day.

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful Indeed, We have given you al-Kawthar. So pray to your Lord and sacrifice (to Him). Indeed, your enemy is the one cut off.

And peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.