Raeisi: US, Israel must stand trial for crimes against humanity in Gaza

Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi says the United States and Israel must be tried at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity during the Israeli onslaught on the besieged Gaza Strip.

Addressing the Tehran International Conference on Palestine on Saturday, Raeisi condemned the crimes of Israel, including massacre of women and children and the destruction of Palestinian homes in Gaza.

The president slammed the unconditional support of the so-called advocates of human rights, not least the United States and certain Western countries, for the crimes against the Palestinians.

“What is even more unfortunate is the ineffectiveness of all the international organizations who claim to defend human rights with regard to the incidents in Gaza.”

He said the horrific war crimes in Gaza stem from an unjust world order.

The Iranian president stressed the need to “shape a new world order.” Raeisi said meetings such as the Tehran conference must go to great lengths in this regard.

Pointing to the futile efforts to normalize the crimes of Israel in Gaza, Raeisi reiterated the Palestinians’ right to self-defense.

He said the true face of the US and many Western countries was uncovered in the course of the genocidal campaign in Gaza. “They are not a party to peace but a party to war.”

The US and its allies have vetoed any UN Security Council resolution for ceasefire in Gaza and provided the Israeli regime with weapons and financial aid, the president said.

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Raeisi urged an immediate end to the Israeli barbarism against an “oppressed but strong” people that Palestinians are.

The Iranian president also warned against Washington’s scheme of the “forced displacement” of Palestinians from Gaza. He said the Americans claim to defend democracy but they are the "first and biggest violators of democracy in the world."

"Americans are not to make any plan for the future of Gaza. The future of this region will be determined by its own people and its own legitimate government," Raeisi stated.

The global arrogant system "has no regard for ethics, law and humanity in the way of exercising its domination," the president said.

Raeisi said any analysis of the issue of Palestine must begin way before October 7, 2023. 

"The Palestinian issue should be analyzed from the date when the British occupied this land and killed and displaced the Palestinians."

Raeisi said the crimes of Israel are the root cause of the Hamas-led surprise Operation Al-Aqsa Storm of that October day.

"Occupation, even if it lasts for 75 years, does not create legitimacy and ownership rights for the occupier."

Iran's definite policy support for liberation of al-Quds

Raeisi said support for the liberation of al-Quds and the oppressed yet strong people of Palestine is the Islamic Republic's definitive policy, which has always been articulated.

"We believe the just solution to the Palestinian issue is to refer to the votes of the Palestinian people, including Muslims, Christians and Jews."

'US cannot be a party to peace at all'

The Iranian president slammed Washington's brazen approach towards the people of Gaza and said, "A party that is the perpetrator and accomplice of a crime cannot be a party to peace in no way."

Israel has not been committed to any international agreement and has violated more than 400 statements and resolutions issued against its crimes, the president said.

Raeisi said the events of the recent weeks in Gaza have removed the mask from the face of hypocrisy and revealed the warmongering nature of the United States to the world. The so-called claimants of freedom and democracy showed they are the perpetrators of the biggest crimes, discrimination and crimes against humanity, he added.

"In the recent events, a place called the United Nations Security Council, which is responsible for establishing peace and security in the world, has officially proved its desperation, incompetent and ineffectiveness."

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