IRI has backed Palestine since start

A member of the Palestinian Fatah movement in the Legislative Assembly says Iran's measure early in the Islamic revolution to close the Israeli embassy and open a first Palestinian embassy in its place was a clear sign of a shift in the post-revolutionary Iranian foreign policy towards the Palestinian issue.

A newly-established Islamic Republic in a first major diplomatic measure shut down the then Israeli embassy in Tehran in 1979 before handing it to Palestinian activists.

"The Islamic Republic allowed everyone to realize that Palestine lies atop the country's foreign policy agenda," Redhwan al-Akhras told Qudsna.

The Palestinian lawmaker said by deciding to close the Israeli embassy, the name of the late founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini would be registered in history as a leader who always sought to carry out his religious duties.

The politician said personalities like Imam Khomeini have shifted the track of history through such landmark decisions.

"Iran has done much for Palestine since the very establishment of the Islamic Republic," the personality said.

The member of the Palestinian parliament slammed Arab leaders for their indecision towards the Palestinian issue.

Asked about the US plan for the PA-Israeli talks, the politician said the US is not a neutral mediator as it always sides with Israel.

"Past experience shows that the Palestinian rights have not been restored through any talks with Israel because the US has always supported Israel," al-Akhras said, adding in the current talks, no one is allowed to budge on any Palestinian rights.