Breaking the Silence: Tehran Congress Demands Immediate Action Against Zionist Regime Crimes
On March 7, an international congress titled "Occupation of Palestine from the Perspective of International Law and Violation of Humanitarian Rights in Gaza" convened in Tehran, the capital of Iran. The event featured prominent figures such as Hojjat al-Islam Mohseni-Eje'i, Iran’s Chief Justice, and Pir Hossein Kolivand, the head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society. The congress also welcomed representatives from 21 foreign countries, marking a milestone in fostering a collective commitment to addressing the plight of the Palestinians.
Supporters of the Zionist regime must be held accountable
In an address delivered at this international congress, Hojjat al-Islam Mohseni-Eje'i said, “I want to extend my gratitude to citizens, officials, institutions, and nations who, over recent months and weeks, have, with conscientious responsibility, condemned the egregious crimes committed by the Zionist regime and its supporters, notably the United States, and voiced their support for the oppressed population of Gaza.”
Hojjat al-Islam Mohseni-Eje'i highlighted the current global landscape as an instructive tableau, as the heinous war crimes perpetrated by the Zionist regime in Gaza challenge conventional categorizations within the established framework of international law. He stressed the need to formulate new definitions and concepts to adequately encapsulate the gravity of the crimes and genocide committed. Further expounding on the situation, Mohseni-Eje'i pointed out that the Zionists presently enjoy unequivocal support, particularly from the United States, and in the event that a country or countries attempt to make the Zionists accountable for their crimes in the so-proclaimed international legal courts, they would face severe consequences from the United States.
The head of Iran's judiciary condemned the barbaric atrocities perpetrated by the Zionist regime in Gaza, asserting that the Palestinian enclave has been reduced to ruins, marked by the daily massacre of innocent civilians and children. Questioning the silence of those who champion human rights but conspicuously remain silent in the face of such horrors, Mohseni-Eje'i lambasted their selective political interference in the name of defending human rights, especially when independent nations suffered infrastructural damage. Detailing the devastating impact of the Zionist offensive, Mohseni-Eje'i highlighted the indiscriminate bombing of Gaza, sparing not even hospitals, schools, mosques, and churches, leaving all, from the youngest infants to the elderly, as victims of the brutality of the Zionist attacks. Moreover, Mohseni-Eje'i highlighted the inevitable downfall of the usurping Zionist regime, underscoring the imperative of holding the US government accountable for their extensive support, ranging from providing weapons to financial aid to Tel Aviv.
Only 25% of the aid has reached Gaza
Also during the international congress, Pir Hossein Kolivand, head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society, revealed that only 25% of crucial aid has reached Gaza. Recent statistics from the Palestine Red Crescent Society underscore the severity of the situation, reporting over 30,700 fatalities and 73,000 injuries in Gaza.
Providing a sobering assessment of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Kolivand highlighted the dire conditions faced by 7,500 injured civilians grappling with a critical shortage of medical necessities. He underscored the urgent imperative to either transport them to neighboring countries for treatment or dispatch essential medical aid to Gaza. Additionally, Kolivand shed light on the plight of 24,000 newborns and their mothers, emphasizing the absence of adequate medical resources, as 65,000 pregnant mothers in Gaza lack essential medical services. Notably, only 25% of the public aid dispatched to Bandar al-Arish, Egypt, has successfully entered Gaza, resulting in significant spoilage of crucial items. Describing Gaza as a stark manifestation of the Zionist regime’s barbarity, Kolivand elucidated the prolonged inspection process, requiring 10 to 14 days for each truck entering Gaza. Condemning direct attacks on civilians by the Zionist regime, he cited instances of assaults on medical centers, service facilities, Red Crescent bases, and ambulances.
Despite these formidable challenges, Kolivand highlighted the unwavering efforts of Iran's Red Crescent Society, organizing rallies and meetings to express solidarity with the people of Gaza and condemning the crimes of the Zionist regime. Furthermore, he drew attention to an international congress addressing the occupation of Palestine, specifically focusing on international law and humanitarian rights violations in Gaza. The congress, boasting the participation of academics, students, and legal experts, seeks to collect diverse legal opinions on humanitarian rights violations. Seventeen article titles, added Kolivand, produced from these discussions, will be published in various languages in both domestic and foreign research journals. Kolivand hailed the online attendees of the congress, who include representatives from 21 countries, reflecting global concern and commitment to addressing the ongoing crisis.
Only public opinion can stop Zionist crimes in Gaza
In his remarks at the International Congress on the Occupation of Palestine, Abbas-Ali Kadkhodaei, the spokesman for and Deputy Secretary of Iran's Guardian Council, emphasized the pivotal role of public opinion in halting the alarming atrocities perpetrated by the Zionist regime in Gaza. Reflecting on the harsh reality of over 150 days since the commencement of the Zionist regime's offensive against Gaza, Kadkhodaei underscored the urgent need for global awareness and condemnation of the crimes committed. He asserted that these transgressions affect the collective conscience of humanity, placing a shared responsibility on individuals worldwide to stand in defense of the people of Gaza. Kadkhodaei went on to claim that the Zionist regime's actions during this period are unparalleled in human history.
Kadkhodaei delved into the intricacies of international law, highlighting its robust system of principles and rules in numerous scholarly works. While pundits have extensively discussed these fundamentals, Kadkhodaei emphasized the critical issue of the weak enforcement mechanisms of humanitarian rights. Noting the absence of concrete actions against violations of international and humanitarian rights in Gaza, he highlighted the paradox wherein the very countries that once aided in the establishment of international and humanitarian institutions now support the Zionist regime. He raised a serious question about how countries can be compelled to adhere to international laws, asserting that the answer lies in public opinion. Kadkhodaei reiterated that only through the influence of public opinion can the Zionist war crimes be halted.
Zionist usurpers are committing genocide in Palestine
In his speech, Kazem Gharibabadi, Deputy of International Affairs of the Iranian Judiciary, condemned the ongoing genocide committed by the Zionist regime in Palestine. Highlighting the Zionists' blatant disregard for international laws, he called for immediate global intervention to stop these crimes, prompting calls for justice and accountability against the Zionist usurpers. He further elaborated, stating that the tragedy, albeit of a valiant nature, unfolding in Palestine and the Gaza Strip over the past five months is attributed to the undeterred resistance of Palestinian groups, rendering the Zionist regime paralyzed and unable to achieve its objectives. Gharibabadi added that global public opinion is currently well-acquainted with the atrocities committed by the Zionist regime in Palestine, viewing them as nothing short of acts of genocide. He emphasized that the Zionist regime can no longer vindicate its crimes as legitimate defense, a pretext firmly rejected by international laws.
Continuing, Gharibabadi asserted that the Zionist regime, as the occupier, cannot logically claim legitimate defense, adding, “The killing of civilians is no longer an achievement that the Zionist regime can boast. Recent days have only seen an escalation in violence, culminating in a massacre that will be etched in history. For over seven decades, the Zionist regime has persisted in these heinous crimes, resulting in the martyrdom of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians.”