Negotiations with Zionist Regime Would Delay the Victory of Palestine

Moving towards negotiations with the cunning, usurper, and untruthful regime is an irreversible mistake that would delay the victory of the Palestinian nation; and it will bring about nothing other than detriment for the oppressed nation, said Ayatollah Khamenei in response to the letter of Ismail Haniyeh.

In response to the letter of Mr. Ismail Haniyeh— the leader of a Palestinian resistance and endeavouring group:

In the Name of God, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful:

All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; peace and greetings be upon our Master and Prophet, Ab-al-Qassem Al-Mustafa Muhammad, and upon his pure, immaculate and chosen household, especially the one remaining with Allah on earth.

Dear brother, resistance activist Dr. Ismail Haniyeh,

I start my letter with this verse from the holy Quran, which seems as if it was meant for us during our time, addressed to you and all of us: “Do not be faint of heart in pursuing the enemy: if you happen to suffer harm they too are suffering just as you are, while you may hope from God what they cannot hope for. God is All-Knowing, All-Wise.” In other words, He is aware of your victory through God’s permission and advises you to refrain from frailty and infirmness.

At a time when aggravation of oppression and animosity, led by the Zionist enemy in Gaza, has made the enthusiasts of Palestine sad and angry, I insist on the Islamic Republic’s enduring position regarding Palestine, which is also an important issue of the Islamic Ummah.

No doubt, resistance is the only way to free an oppressed Palestine, and it is the only cure for wounds on the body of that brave and proud nation. In your affectionate letter, your excellency has indicated some of the main challenges of the Islamic Ummah: you have referred to the conspiracy and hypocrisy of some Arab countries in the [South West Asia] region and their vicious plots, following the Great Satan (the US); you have also reminded us of the resistance in Palestine—the fighters on the front line before the enemy’s pressure, oppression, and cruelty. Your remarks are absolutely true and we confirm them. We feel it is our responsibility to support you, in any manner as needed.

This [support of Palestine] is a religious duty and a humane responsibility that goes beyond political events and changes; we will, God willing, continue to perform this duty, like before. All Muslim governments, Muslim nations, and Islamic movements are obligated to fulfill this great task [support of Palestine] and should try to carry on with it. Today, the return to dignity and authority of the Islamic Ummah relies upon resistance against the Front of Arrogance and its vicious plots; the matter of Palestine is at the heart of all international challenges that the Islamic Ummah faces while fighting against the Front of Arrogance. Moving towards negotiations with the cunning, usurper, and untruthful regime is an irreversible mistake that would delay the victory of the Palestinian nation; and it will bring about nothing other than detriment for the oppressed nation.

Act of Betrayal by some Arab leaders, which is gradually revealing itself, pursues the same goal [as delaying the victory of the Palestinian nation]. The only cure is strengthening the resistance within the Muslim World, reinforcing the fight against the usurper Zionist regime and its allies. Nations, especially zealous youth in Muslim and Arab countries, as well as governments that feel responsible towards Palestine, should seriously consider this as their duty: repelling the enemy to the point of annihilation, through strategic and vigorous action. I ask Allah the Almighty to bestow success upon you and all resistance forces; I beseech closeness towards the day of your victory, which is a certain destiny.

And Peace be upon you
Sayyid Ali Khamenei
April 4, 2018