On November 11, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi condemned Israel for allegedly committing the “most heinous crimes” in history during its campaign against Hamas — a response to the brutal attack on southern Israel that killed 1,200 Israelis on October 7. “What has happened in the past five weeks in Gaza and parts of the West Bank is a historic source of shame for ethics, law, and humanity,” Raisi told an emergency summit in Riyadh that was jointly hosted by the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
Raisi also accused the United States of playing the “most destructive role” by arming Israel and blocking any action at the U.N. Security Council to stop the war, which has reportedly left more than 10,000 Palestinians dead. “Undoubtedly, the U.S. government is the main perpetrator and accomplice to this crime,” Raisi said. After the 1979 revolution, the new Islamic Republic labeled the United States the “Great Satan” and Israel the “Little Satan.”
At the end of this speech, Raisi proposed 10 points to help the Palestinians, according to Iranian media:
- Putting an end to the massacre of the people of Gaza and blind attacks on civilians
- Complete lifting of the humanitarian blockade of Gaza and immediate and unconditional reopening of the Rafah border crossing with cooperation of Egypt
- Immediate withdrawal of the military of the Zionist regime from Gaza
- Cutting off any political and economic ties with the Zionist regime
- Recognition of the military of Israel as a terrorist organization
- Establishment of an international court to prosecute and punish the criminal leaders of Israel and the U.S.
- Funding the reconstruction of Gaza
- Sending humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people in Gaza from various Islamic countries
- Naming the day of the bombing of Arab Al-Ahli Hospital as the day of genocide in member countries’ official calendars
- Arming the people of Gaza, if Israel’s relentless crimes and Washington’s support for the regime’s conduct continue
Raisi’s trip marked his first visit to Saudi Arabia since the two countries restored ties in March 2023. He met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on the slides of the summit to discuss bilateral relations as well as regional developments.
Raisi speech
“Today, Palestine is the benchmark of Islamic and human honor.
“Mr President. At the outset, I would like to thank the Saudi government for hosting and holding this important and joint summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League in this sensitive period of regional developments and current circumstances.
“Today, in this emergency summit, we gathered here to address the most important issues of the Islamic world, meaning the Palestinian issue, one of the disasters of human history, and the heroic Gaza, to take a historic and fateful decision.
“All the problems of the Islamic world are solvable in the light of unity and cohesion. Relying on God Almighty and His absolute power and trusting in the abilities and capabilities of the Islamic world is the way to save the Islamic Ummah, and not trusting the controlling and hegemonic powers. The Islamic Republic of Iran has pursued a policy of good neighborliness and harmony and opened its arms of brotherhood and friendship to all Islamic countries.
“Today we have gathered here in order to respond to the cry made by oppressed Muslims to other Muslims, and today the Messenger of God (may God bless him and grant him peace) is the one who brings solace to the land of Palestine. Today, what does the Prophet of Islam expect from his Ummah? Today, what does the Islamic nation want from its leaders and governments?
“O my brothers in religion, today is the day of conflict between the right and the wrong, and the fabricated entity of Israel is a pharaoh for our time and a symbol of corruption on earth and the killing of innocents. The million-strong demonstrations across the globe indicate that the Palestinian issue is in the hearts of the peoples, and for this day is the day of the victory of blood over sword.
“What happened in the Gaza Strip over the past five weeks is a shameful and historic disgrace to morals, law and humanity.
“The Occupying Regime, in violation of all international rules, launched a fierce attack on the Gaza Strip using indiscriminate bombing and the use of phosphorus bombs and other prohibited weapons with the aim of genocide, and turned half of the Gaza Strip into a hill of dirt. To date, more than 11,000 innocent people have been killed, in addition to more than 3,000 people remaining under the rubble, and most of the victims are innocent women and children. The killing of medical staff and reporters and the bombing of hospitals are part of these horrific crimes. The worst thing is the likely loss of the lives of the victims who have not received medicines and medical supplies due to the siege of the Zionist regime.
“The events in the Gaza Strip are a confrontation between the axis of honor and the axis of evil, and everyone must clarify which path they have fallen into.
“Undoubtedly, the U.S. government is the main perpetrator and accomplice to this crime. Israel is the illegitimate child of America. It is America that has preferred support it over the sacred lives of thousands of oppressed Palestinian children. By immediately forming its security cabinet in the occupied territories, America encouraged the Zionist regime to carry out criminal operations against the helpless people of Gaza and called it legitimate defense. The claim of legitimate defense by the occupying forces, who are constantly violating the rights of Palestinians, is one of the bitter ironies of history, which is not compatible with any of the established legal rules and international standards.
“At the same time, the U.S. warship was sent to the region, thus effectively entering the war on behalf of Israel. The all-out support of the Zionist regime in the U.N. Security Council and preventing the adoption of a resolution to stop the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza was another service of America to the aggressors, allowing them to conduct war crimes more than ever.
“Another action of the U.S. is arming and supporting the Zionist regime with all kinds of deadly weapons and filling up the arms reserves of the usurping Israel, in addition to providing billions of dollars in aid to the military budget of this regime. Both the Zionist regime's war machine and its fuel belong to the Americans. Heavy shipments of weapons are being sent on a daily basis and the Zionist enemy has so far dropped bombs equivalent to seven atomic bombs on the scale of the Hiroshima crime on the people of Gaza. This crime is considered as participation in the crime and should be strictly pursued by international authorities.
“The most destructive role is the role of America. The killing of millions of people in the world, including in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and other Islamic countries, is under the responsibility of America. America is the instigator of this battle by entertaining the world with contracts, taking effectiveness from all international organizations.
“Respected Islamic governments, now that the international assemblies under the influence of America are suffering from indecisiveness, characterlessness, and the lack of identity, we must take the field.
“I would like to declare that the Islamic Republic of Iran views the resistance to Palestine as a liberation movement, and that the policy of forced displacement of the people of the Gaza Strip is a continuation of violations and a war crime, and that preserving the al Aqsa Mosque and other holy places is a major necessity.
“What we repeatedly emphasized over the past years is being heard from the European and American peoples, and I hereby thank all the peoples who have shown solidarity with the people of Gaza. Today, Israel's crimes in Gaza are a reason for the awakening of people in the world. Today, attention must be directed to another topic, which is nuclear Israel. The only racist regime in the world that legitimizes the killing of children. This regime is not under the supervision of any international organization and threatens innocent people with atomic bombs.
“The Islamic resistance, which has achieved great successes in defense of Palestine and the region, is the result of the awakening of the Islamic Ummah and the experiences of more than 70 years of confronting the aggression, hegemony, and arrogance of the Zionist enemy and the arrogant countries that support it.
“Allow me to conclude with a few greetings:
“Peace be upon the oppressed children and martyrs in Gaza.
“Peace be upon the children who seek refuge in the Holy Qur’an near the Gaza collapses and recite its verses.
“Peace be upon the children who shiver from the severity injustice, fear and intimidation.
“Peace be upon my dear children in the Gaza Strip.
“Peace be upon you, you who gave meaning to resistance through steadfastness in the face of the most advanced global armies and the most malicious people on the face of the earth.
“Peace be upon you whose small hands and thin bodies have shown the extent of the barbarism and brutality of the usurping Zionists.
“Your blood-stained faces, your dismembered bodies, and your broken bones under the rubble of the American bombs, shout your steadfastness.
“There is no doubt that the future belongs to the resistance and that the true hero is you, steadfast people, and we will not abandon you. Palestine is definitely victorious.
“Al Quds is ours and victory is ours.
“May God’s peace, mercy, and blessings be upon you.”