In These New Times

PressTV

1st March, 2009

Iran and Syria vow to support the rights of Palestinian people by bringing Israeli leaders to justice for their recent war crimes in Gaza.

Speaking at a joint press conference in Tehran on Sunday the Iranian first Vice-President Parviz Davoodi and Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Naji Otri pledged support for the oppressed people of Palestine, particularly the people of Gaza. 

“We have to help support the rights of Palestinian people especially in Gaza and should be very vigilant because of the plots and ploys of enemies,” Davoodi said while praising Damascus for being a key player in supporting Palestinians against Israeli aggression . 

Israel staged a massive air strike against the besieged region of Gaza for 23 consecutive days, pounding residential units, schools, mosques and hospitals, killing over 1, 300 people and wounding more than 5,000 others. 

Israel’s offensive against Gaza was faced with severe international criticism across the globe, which came to an end after the two sides announced separate ceasefires. 

Recently some 5,700 Iranian lawyers filed a compliant against 24 Israeli leaders and commanders involved in the recent Gaza onslaught. Israeli President Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni are among the officials accused of war crimes. 

Meanwhile, Turkey’s Mazlum-Der rights group launched an investigation into Israeli crimes against humanity and genocide during the 23-day deadly offensive in the Gaza Strip. 

The group filed a complaint which asked that Turkey be given the right to try 19 Israeli warlords including Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, President Shimon Peres, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Defense Minister Ehud Barak of committing genocide and crimes against humanity in Gaza. 

Several international rights groups, including Amnesty and Human Rights Watch, have accused Israel of using banned weapons against the densely-populated coastal enclave of 1.6 million. 

Iran is also going to host an international conference in support of Palestine on March 4-5 2009 in Tehran. Significant figures of the international community including the Arab League, Organization of Islamic Conference as well as renowned international lawyers have been invited to the conference.