Iran held a ceremony today to mark Nakba Day (“Catastrophe”) – the event that commemorates the exodus and dispossession of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians following the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948. At the event, Iranian officials emphasized the country's long-standing position on the Palestinian issue.
Speaking at the ceremony, Iranian leaders declared: “The future of Palestine and Al-Quds (Jerusalem) must be decided by the indigenous people themselves, not imposed by outside forces.” Iran once again affirmed its stance of supporting the Palestinian struggle against Israel and called on the international community to condemn Israel's expansion of settlements in Palestinian territory.
Nakba Day – meaning disaster or catastrophe in Arabic – is observed annually by Palestinians and many Arab countries on May 15, the day following Israel’s Independence Day (Yom Ha'atzmaut) according to the Hebrew calendar. Every year, thousands of Palestinians and their supporters hold marches and demonstrations to remember those killed and displaced during the 1948 war.
Iran has long been one of the harshest critics of Israel and a supporter of Palestinian movements. The country does not recognize the state of Israel and regards Jerusalem as the eternal capital of Palestine.
