People sympathized with Palestinians under siege: Expert

Press TV has interviewed Dean Hani al-Bassos, a professor at the Islamic University of Gaza, about International Quds Day.

The following is a rough transcription of the interview.

Press TV: I want to know your feeling about International Quds Day and what this means for Palestine.

Al-Bassos: Well this day means a lot for the Palestinians and for Palestine. This day is to remember the main city which is al-Quds which has been under Israeli occupation for the past decades and this is in solidarity with Palestinian people and to show the world that how much pressure on the Palestinians have been by the Israeli occupation forces. We have witnessed millions of people around the world demonstrating in different cities and different countries against the Israeli occupation and in support of the Palestinians and specifically here this day is important because signal the importance the city of al-Quds as a Muslim city and it is not only for the Palestinians people. This city means a lot for all Muslims around the world. The demonstrations in millions in Iran and India and Pakistan, in Palestine in Syria and many other countries this means that this city is still Muslim city and still it is important as we can ----- and I think day after day, year after year, we have witnessed more people coming out raising their voices against occupation and solidarity with the Palestinian people. In addition to this, I would like to add that we have seen, we have witnessed solidarity with Palestinians and with city of Jerusalem not only from Muslim community but from other community in the world. In support for this cause believing the occupation has to have an end. So this day means that an end to the Israeli occupation with have to come sooner than later.

Press TV: Do Palestinians in Gaza understand and see the effect that movements such as Quds day have?

Al-Bassos: Yes, of course. This is not the first year. There have been many years since this movement has begun.-------- Called by Ayatollah Khomeini that this day has been important for all Palestinians. In Gaza specifically we have witnessed demonstration today. Thousands of people went out in the street demonstrating against the Israeli occupation and against the measures have been taken by the Israeli occupations in the city of al-Quds, banning many Palestinians from going to pray in this holy city and in al-Aqsa mosque. In Gaza and in the West bank we have witnessed kind of solidarity. But in Gaza Strip we have been living under siege, constant siege for the past eight years. We always see how much people going out in the street calling for an end to the occupation and we feel the solidarity and the support of the international community specifically in the Muslim community and more specifically in Iran that supporting Palestinian people. So people feel that we are not left behind. They are some people supporting us. The Muslim community, the Iranian people and government alongside Palestinian people in order to liberate the al-Quds city and to liberate the Palestinian people and one day to establish Palestinian state after ending occupation.                     

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