Iran’s mission to the United Nations denied on Sunday reports that Tehran was involved in Hamas’s deadly attack on Israel.
In a statement, Iran’s mission to the UN voiced its support for Palestine but claimed Hamas acted on its own.
“We emphatically stand in unflinching support of Palestine; however, we are not involved in Palestine’s response, as it is taken solely by Palestine itself,” the statement read, according to Reuters.
The denial follows a report from the Wall Street Journal claiming that Officers of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard began working with Hamas to plan the brutal air, sea, and land assault on Israel in August.
Breaking: Iran helped plan Hamas’s attack on Israel and gave the green light for the assault at a meeting last Monday https://t.co/7U1fUb3gXI pic.twitter.com/WIu1VBLtzd
— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) October 8, 2023
The Journal cited in its report senior members of Hamas, the militant group that dominates Gaza, and Hezbollah, a Lebanon-based, Iran-backed political faction.
According to the outlet, the strategic meeting took place in Beirut and was attended by officers of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and four representatives of other militant organizations backed by Iran.
“A European official and an adviser to the Syrian government, however, gave the same account of Iran’s involvement in the lead-up to the attack as the senior Hamas and Hezbollah members,” WSJ stated. “Asked about the meetings, Mahmoud Mirdawi, a senior Hamas official, said the group planned the attacks on its own. ‘This is a Palestinian and Hamas decision,’ he said.”
According to Iran’s mission to the United Nations, “The resolute measures taken by Palestine constitute a wholly legitimate defense against seven decades of oppressive occupation and heinous crimes committed by the illegitimate Zionist regime.”
Hamas’s “success” in Israel, Iran’s UN mission stated, happened because it was a surprise, making it the “biggest failure” of Israel’s security organizations.
“They are attempting to justify their failure and attribute it to Iran’s intelligence power and operational planning,” Iran’s U.N. mission said. “They (Israel) find it very difficult to accept that in the intelligence community, it is being narrated that they were defeated by a Palestinian group.”
Meanwhile, in New York City, hundreds of pro-Palestinian demonstrators faced off with supporters of Israel on Sunday.
The Democratic Socialists of America organized the pro-Palestine rally, according to the New York Post.
“One attendee in the pro-Palestine camp was pictured holding up an image of a Swastika on their phone — a day after 700 Jews were slaughtered by Hamas,” the outlet reports.
At least this Terror supporter is honest — They are Fascists at heart.
Fury as Pro-Palestine activist waves a SWASTIKA at anti-Israel protest in NYC’s Times Square as thousands take to the streets for demonstrations across the US pic.twitter.com/3uqHs4H8YJ
— ((3⃣3⃣)) — DeSantis & Haley (@w3bsag3) October 9, 2023
“The New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) — the party of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Jamaal Bowman and a couple dozen other prominent New York politicians, had announced the 1 p.m. rally in Times Square on Saturday just hours after Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel that left hundreds dead and thousands wounded,” The Post states.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul quickly responded to the announcement, calling the demonstration “abhorrent and morally repugnant.”
“The people of Israel are facing violent terrorist attacks and civilian kidnappings,” Hochul posted on X. “I condemn plans to rally in Times Square tomorrow in support of the perpetrators of these horrific actions. The planned rally is abhorrent and morally repugnant.”
The people of Israel are facing violent terrorist attacks and civilian kidnappings. I condemn plans to rally in Times Square tomorrow in support of the perpetrators of these horrific actions. The planned rally is abhorrent and morally repugnant.
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) October 8, 2023
Pro-Palestinian protesters carried signs, shouted “Free Palestine!” and stomped on the Israeli flag.
“It’s important for Judaism to be divorced from Zionism,” Brooklyn college graduate Aaron Kirshenbaum told The Post. “Being aligned with an oppressive state is extremely limiting.”
“New York is allowing these f–king animals to protest,” said counter-protester Richard Friend. “They just murdered hundreds of innocent Israelis, and now they’re dancing in the streets! It’s an embarrassment to New York City.”
Pro-Israel and Pro-Palestine supporters face off at NYC protest
pic.twitter.com/g9vwScLfTS— All Tea All Shade (@TeaTimeTips2) October 8, 2023
The attack on Israel is the worst the nation has endured in 50 years.
New York Mayor Eric Adams joined the governor in condemning the demonstration.
“At a moment when innocent people are being slaughtered and children kidnapped in Israel, it is disgusting that this group of extremists would show support for terrorism,” he stated on X. “I reject this. New York City rejects this. Do not use our streets to spread your hate.”
At a moment when innocent people are being slaughtered and children kidnapped in Israel, it is disgusting that this group of extremists would show support for terrorism. I reject this. New York City rejects this.
Do not use our streets to spread your hate.
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) October 8, 2023
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Melissa Fine is the former executive editor of Casino Player, Strictly Slots, and Poker
Digest magazines. She is a UCLA graduate, news junkie, and dedicated Stargate SG-
1 fan. Melissa currently lives with her dog and two cats in a tiny town in the Sierra
Nevada foothills.
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