Iranian top cleric urges 'firm stance' against Israel

On March 15, Israel reopened the Hurva Synagogue close to the highly revered al-Aqsa Mosque in the Old City of East Jerusalem (al-Quds). Al-Aqsa is widely revered as Islam's third holiest site after Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia.

Tel Aviv's reopening of the synagogue provoked widespread protests by Palestinians against what they maintain to be an Israeli scheme to demolish the holy city's Islamic sites in an effort to Judaize the region.

In a statement released on Sunday, Ayatollah Hossein Nouri Hamedani said that US-led arrogant powers have established the fake and occupying Zionist regime (Israel) to disturb peace in the region through crimes, massacre and destruction.

He added that their move displayed a grudge the enemies of Islam hold against Islam and Muslims.

The cleric condemned Israel's plot to reopen the Jewish synagogue and said, "We announce that all Muslims across the world and the OIC member states in particular should be cautious about the ongoing situation."

Nouri Hamedani called on Muslims to strengthen unity and prevent more Israeli plots.


/Press TV/