Intl. Quds Day empowered Palestinian resistance: Ex-Turkish intel chief

A former Turkish intelligence chief has hailed Iran’s unwavering support for Palestinians as a “source of hope” for the oppressed nation, saying International Quds Day has empowered the Palestinian resistance movement to fight for their cause.

Lieutenant General Ismail Hakki Pekin, the former head of military intelligence at the Turkish Armed Forces General Staff, made the remarks in an exclusive interview with Iran Press video news agency on Tuesday.

The remarks came ahead of International Quds Day, which is observed on the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan every year.

Pekin said Iran has played a crucial role in enabling Palestinians to defend themselves in the face of relentless Israeli atrocities.

“This trend is undeniable and Iran has taken significant measures to [help improve] security in that region both in terms of training and defense," he said.

The former intelligence chief said Palestinians were very defenseless under the leadership of former Palestinian Authority president Yasser Arafat, with the US and Israel repeatedly taking military action against them.

“It’s because of Iran’s unique support that resistance groups are now active in Gaza and al-Quds and Hezbollah is present in Lebanon as the most powerful resistance group," Pekin said.

“If it wasn’t for Iran’s support, the Palestinian resistance couldn’t reach this level and Israel would easily commit genocide or all Palestinians would be forced to leave their homeland," he added. 

Celebrating Al-Quds Day

Quds day is celebrated all over the world after being inaugurated by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1979.

The retired lieutenant general said the 1979 Islamic Revolution of Iran also helped other oppressed nations in the region defend themselves.

“The Iranian Revolution led to important developments not only in Palestine but in the region, including nations claiming their rights," he noted. 

He hailed Iran’s role in supporting peace and stability in the region and said other West Asia countries, including Turkey, must support Iran’s regional policies.

International Quds Day, designated by the founder of the Islamic Republic Imam Khomeini, is a demonstration of solidarity of Muslims and non-Muslims around the world with the people of Palestine in their struggle for the liberation of occupied territories. 

This comes as Israel’s new cabinet, which is viewed as the most right-wing cabinet in the entity’s history, has intensified a long-running crackdown on Palestinians, regularly conducting deadly raids into Palestinian towns.

Most of the raids have focused on Nablus and Jenin, where Israeli forces have been trying to stifle a growing Palestinian resistance against occupation.

The regime has killed around 100 Palestinians so far this year.

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