Iran’s struggle against Israel’s colonial expansion

In keeping with previous assertions, Iranian discourse is inclusive of historical liberation and is committed to non-recognition of Israel. Gaza’s resistance against the latest massacre generated renewed conviction for resistance against settler-colonialism, as well as a commitment to aid Palestinians in their struggle for liberation.

On July 17, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command’s (PFLP-GC) Secretary General spoke to Al-Manar, emphasising Iran and Hezbollah’s role, providing the Palestinian resistance with training, upgrading of weapons, scientific knowledge for manufacturing better equipment, as well as safe transfer of weapons to Gaza.

According to the Fars News Agency, Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal stated that “Iran’s financial and military assistance played an important role in the Palestinian resistance movement’s achievements.”

Several Iranian leaders have expressed their satisfaction that the Palestinian resistance’s negotiated a ceasefire that is widely perceived as the start to a full liberation. Ali Larijani, the chairman of the Iranian parliament, was quoted by Press TV as having insisted to Meshaal that Israel’s atrocities constituted “flagrant genocide and huge human catastrophe” while reiterating resistance as “the sole way to liberate the occupied lands and restore the rights of the Palestinian people”.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council secretary, Ali Shamkani, added that the seven week massacre and ensuing victory for Palestinians was “a prelude to the liberation of al-Quds”.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Javad Zarif reiterated calls to prosecute Israel at the International Criminal Court and expressed the importance of retaining a broader concept of liberation for “an independent Palestinian state”.

Israel’s drone surveillance over Iran, in the vicinities of the country’s nuclear facilities, has led to increased rhetoric about arming the Palestinian resistance. Deputy Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces declared, “destroying the Israeli spy drone is not the end of measures [undertaken] by the Islamic Republic of Iran and [we] will respond to the enemy in the occupied territories.”

Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh outlined Iran’s defensive retaliation against Israel. “We will accelerate the arming of the West Bank and we think that we are entitled to give any response [to the recent aggression] which we deem appropriate.”

While Israel has constantly fostered Iran’s image a threat, cementing the settler-colonial state’s image as a permanent aggressor, Iran’s response has been based on tangible threats to its sovereignty and the vicious expansion of Israel furthering its imperial violence and conquest. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani stated on several occasions that defence and deterrence for the sake of protection are a priority for Iran.

Israel’s constant expansion and aggression in Palestine has rendered defence and deterrence an option for Palestinians. If Palestinian resistance were armed it would bring the battle with Iran closer to the Israeli state. If this was accomplished, the Palestinian resistance and Iran would be united behind a common goal.

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.