The visiting Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh and his accompanying delegation met the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei on Sunday, December 10.
Speaking at the meeting, which was also attended by the Iranian First Vice-President Parviz Davoudi, the Leader referred to the attempts made over the past sixty years to make the issue of Palestine fall into oblivion and obliterate the authentic name of that Islamic land.
Ayatollah Khamenei noted that all these attempts have proved to be futile, which he described as a sign of divine favor. "Through struggle and resistance, the return of the Palestinian land in its entirety to the Palestinian people and the establishment of a Palestinian government there will become possible, and this will surely materialize," he added.
Further in his statements, the Leader of the Islamic Republic hinted at the fact that during the first decades after the occupation of Palestine, the Palestinian Muslims lived under very difficult circumstances and received no support from Arab countries, and that serious attempts were made to integrate the Palestinian nation into other nations.
"Despite all such attempts, today, some 60 years after the occupation of Palestine, the motivation and indigenous identity among the Palestinian people are stronger than ever. Besides, a Palestinian government has taken office which is persevering in its stances, and which is making increasing progress," the Leader observed.
Referring to the divine promise of victory, Ayatollah Khamenei further stated, "The Palestinian nation is making headway every day, and I am sure that one day the land will be administered by the Palestinians themselves."
Elsewhere in his remarks, the Leader stated that the progress of the Palestinian people and their remarkable achievements in the face of all the hardships and pressures are the outcome of their resistance and struggle.
"The Palestinian government, in view of the principles that it has announced and on which it is insisting, is fully supported by the Islamic Republic of Iran," the Leader pointed out.
Ayatollah Khamenei described as exemplary the resistance of the Palestinian nation. "The Palestinian nation and government, having such morale and attitude, will surely achieve victory, about which there is no doubt whatsoever," he noted.
Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, for his part, expressed great pleasure over his meeting with Ayatollah Khamenei, and he referred to the Islamic Republic of Iran as the real supporter of the Palestinian people and the main advocate of the liberation of the Holy Quds.
The Palestinian prime minister further hinted at the role of the late Imam Khomeini in giving an impetus to the cause of Palestine in the Islamic world, especially by designating the last Friday in the holy month of Ramazan as the International Day of Quds.
"You are also continuing the same path that was initiated by Imam Khomeini, since you have always supported the Palestinian people, and I hope that we will meet each other at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in the near future," the Palestinian prime minister told the Leader.
Prime Minister Haniyeh said that the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran was instrumental in giving rise to the Islamic awakening, especially in Palestine, an awakening which was followed by the first Intifada.
"The young generation that is standing up to the Zionists and which has given rise to the first and the second Intifada comprises highly motivated youngsters, and this generation will liberate Palestine," he added.
The Palestinian prime minister further said that the issue of Palestine is an Islamic issue, and that Palestine is an Islamic land. He emphasized that no individual or government in Palestine has the right to forego even a single inch of the Palestinian land.
In conclusion, Prime Minister Haniyeh stressed that the incumbent Palestinian government would never recognize the Zionist regime. He said that all the Palestinians have opted for resistance, which is the only path to the liberation of Palestine.