Islamic countries should allow all Muslims to take part in the jihad (holy war) now being fought by the Palestinian people, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Wednesday in a message of support to the Palestinians.
"The Islamic countries must open up the way for a jihad, and allow Muslims to perform this duty, the only way to victory. That is what the Muslims want," the message said.
"In this critical situation, the path of compromise is less and less effective," it added.
The message came as clashes continued in the West Bank and Gaza Strip for a sixth day. A total of 65 people have been killed since they were sparked Thursday by a visit of Israeli right-wing opposition leader Ariel Sharon to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem, Islam's third holiest site.
Iranian leaders have consistently compared the recent wave of violence with the intifada, the six-year uprising in the Palestinian territories that broke out at the end of 1987 and stressed the religious aspect of the current unrest.
Iran strongly opposes the current peace process between the Palestinians and Israel, which it believes compromises Palestinian rights.
"We pay homage to the Palestinian people and their jihad, and those following the path of the intifada, and give them this good news: your movement will gain ever more support, with every day, from Muslims and revolutionaries," the message said.
"The Palestinian people have condemned the talks, and with the jihad their destiny will change," it added.
Meanwhile Iranian President Mohammed Khatami, current head of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), called for an urgent meeting of the group's foreign ministers to coordinate policy against Israel, state radio reported.
It did not say when or where the meeting might take place - TEHRAN (AFP)
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
