Iran's Leader Khamenei: Armed Struggle Should Continue until Israel Is Destroyed by a Referendum

Following are excerpts from a speech by Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, which aired on IRINN TV on July 23, 2014.

Khamenei: From the day of its illegitimate birth, the (Zionist) regime laid the foundations for overt violence. They do not deny it. They laid the foundations for the iron fist. They say so everywhere. They take pride in this. This is their policy. Since 1948, when this false regime was officially born, and to this day – for 66 years this has been the policy of the Zionist regime. Of course, even before this regime was officially recognized, and before the colonialists imposed it upon the region and the world, the Zionists perpetrated many crimes in Palestine. During those 66 years as a political regime, they perpetrated any violent act they could think of against the (Palestinians). They stop at nothing. This is the reality of the Zionist regime. The only solution is to destroy this regime.

Crowd: Allah Akbar. Allah Akbar. Khamenei is the leader.

Khamenei: The destruction of the Zionist regime does not mean the annihilation of the Jewish people in that region. The logic used by Imam (Khomeini) when he said that Israel should be destroyed is humane logic. We have presented the practical implications of this to the world, and no one could criticize this in a logical way. We said that a referendum should be held among the people living there. The ruling regime there should be determined by a referendum. The people should decide this. This is the meaning of the destruction of the Zionist regime. This is the implication. This is the only solution for this barbaric and wolfish regime. What is the solution until this regime is destroyed? Allah willing, the day will come when this regime is destroyed. So long as this false regime is on its feet – what is the solution? The solution is total armed resistance against this regime. This is the solution.

Crowd: Allah Akbar. Allah Akbar.

Khamenei: Therefore, it is my belief that the West Bank should be armed just like Gaza. Anyone who cares about the fate of Palestine, and who is capable of doing something, should provide arms to the people (of the West Bank) too.