The Iranian regime has consistently portrayed itself as a defender of the Palestinian people, often shedding crocodile tears for them.
In a recent speech, the Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, once again attempted to position himself as a loyal supporter of “the blood of the oppressed, children, patients, and women” in Palestine. However, these efforts can be seen as mere deception and manipulation.
Recently, the regime has resorted to theatrical tactics, occasionally dispatching its Basij forces to airports within the country.
These forces proclaim their readiness to sacrifice their lives for the Palestinian people, calling for revenge.
However, these actions have become less convincing over time. There are in-depth analyses and interpretations of the Gaza conflict, that acknowledge the regime’s role as a significant instigator in the ongoing crisis.
In a recent example of increasing public awareness, the Al-Arab newspaper published an article on October 19 titled ‘Iran’s Road to Jerusalem from Karbala to Gaza.’ This article unequivocally revealed the regime’s propensity for warmongering.
One crucial point highlighted in the article is the historical indifference of Iran’s regime toward the Palestinian issue. The regime has never shown its support for Palestinians by providing shelter or any form of assistance.
Therefore, it is essential to delve into history and examine regime founder Ruhollah Khomeini’s detrimental role in the Palestinian cause and the origins of his deceptive slogan, ‘Conquering Quds from Karbala.’
In 1948, David Ben-Gurion declared the establishment of the State of Israel, leading to a mass exodus of Palestinian refugees to neighboring countries, including Lebanon. Following the 1967 war, some Palestinian fighting forces also relocated to Lebanon.
This influx of Palestinian refugees and militants complicated the already multi-faceted sectarian landscape of Lebanon, triggering a lengthy civil war. Lebanon became a significant battleground in the conflict between Israel and Palestinian forces.
On June 6, 1982, the Israeli army advanced into Lebanon from the south, particularly targeting the city of Beirut.
They demanded the disarmament of Palestinian forces and their withdrawal from Lebanon. Palestinian fighters resisted for approximately 80 days until the intervention of the United Nations and some other nations.
On August 21 of the same year, the first Palestinian units left Beirut for Cyprus, and Yasser Arafat, the leader of the Palestinian movement, relocated his headquarters to Tunisia.
This marked the end of Palestinian presence in Lebanon and its proximity to their borders after three decades.
Significantly, the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in June 1982 coincided with the liberation of Iran’s Khorramshahr from Iraqi forces. Khomeini had an opportunity to end the war with Iraq.
Notably, during the Israeli attack, the Iraqi government declared its intention to withdraw its forces from Iranian territory and return to international borders.
In a gesture of goodwill, Iraq suggested that Khomeini could move its forces through Iraqi territory to Lebanon to join the fight against Israel and defend the Palestinians.
However, Khomeini rejected this offer, asserting that his main adversary was Iraq and that the road to Jerusalem passed through Karbala.
This decision further fueled the Iran-Iraq war, which Khomeini had essentially initiated to suppress Iranian dissidents and redirect the revolutionary fervor into the war effort.
His refusal to intervene in Iraq led to a significant betrayal of both the Iranian and Palestinian people.
Rather than taking any steps to aid the Palestinian people and refugees, Khomeini maintained a belligerent stance that diverted attention from the suffering of Palestinians.
He elevated the slogan ‘Quds Road from Karbala’ to a central theme in his war rhetoric and continued to wage war for another six years, causing further bloodshed in both Iran and Iraq.
Historians of the regime have also documented this issue, highlighting the history of the infamous slogan ‘Quds Road from Karbala.’
The Wiki Defa, website in an explanation titled ‘Quds Road Passes Through Karbala,’ noted that this slogan was central during the Iran-Iraq war and was articulated by Khomeini in the midst of Israel’s attack on Lebanon in June 1982.
Khomeini used this slogan to outline the primary direction of Iran’s actions after the conquest of Khorramshahr.
In the context of this historical narrative, it is worth mentioning the peace plan proposed by the National Council of Resistance of Iran on March 13, 1983.
This plan underscores the enduring resistance against the regime’s deceptions and betrayal, offering a consistent call for peace in the Middle East and presenting cost-effective solutions for the region’s people over the past four decades.
