Iranian Deputy Parliament: “Israeli” Occupation Supported by West

Iranian Deputy Parliament Speaker Seyyed Mohammad Hossein Abu Torabi Fard says "Israel" continues to survive with the support of the West.

"The regime (in "Israel") has reinforced its occupation of the Palestinian territories with the backing of European countries," IRNA quoted Abu Torabi as saying during a meeting with activists of Asia's first humanitarian aid convoy to Palestine in Tehran on Monday.

The Asian People's Solidarity for Palestine convoy, which is traveling through Iran before heading to Turkey, arrived in the Iranian capital on Sunday and was greeted by the city's people and officials.

Abu Torabi also said that even "the "Israeli" authorities are aware of the fact that the regime would certainly collapse with the first defeat."

He stated that the "symbolic" move of the international aid convoy carrying relief materials for the besieged Gaza Strip "demonstrates that Muslims and free-thinking people are always fighting cruelty and oppression."

The convoy began its journey from New Delhi earlier this month and entered Iran thorough the southeastern city of Zahedan in Sistan-Baluchestan province on December 9.

Earlier in the day, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad hailed the international effort to break the siege of Gaza, saying, "Today the path to humanity's historic aspiration passes through Palestine." He also condemned Israel for committing genocide in Palestine.

The Gaza aid convoy will pass through a number of other countries, including Turkey and Egypt, before entering Gaza via the Rafah crossing on December 27, which is the second anniversary of the beginning of the Israeli war against the people of Gaza.