Shi'a mark Al-Quds Day with anti-Israel rallies across Middle East
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 8 June 2018 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Shi'a mark Al-Quds Day with anti-Israel rallies across Middle East, 8 June 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bc04ec14.html [accessed 4 November 2019] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
June 08, 2018 12:49 GMT
An Iranian man holds a cartoon of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the annual anti-Israeli Al-Quds Day rally in Tehran on June 8.
Tens of thousands of Shi'ite Muslims have marched in Iran, Iraq, and Syria in anti-Israel rallies to mark Al-Quds Day, also known as Jerusalem Day.
Some protesters across the three countries set Israeli and U.S. flags on fire while others chanted "Death to America" and "Death to Israel."
The day was established by the founder of the Islamic republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, to show support for Palestinians and opposition against Israel, which Iran does not recognize.
Rallies were held across Iran, including in Tehran, where marchers were converging from various points of the city onto the Friday Prayer ceremony at Tehran University.
Demonstrators chanted anti-American slogans to condemn the U.S. decision to move its embassy to Jerusalem. Palestinians want East Jerusalem for their future capital.
In Iraq, thousands of Iran-backed Shi'ite militiamen marched through a main Baghdad street to mark Al-Quds Day, a reference to the Arabic name for Jerusalem.
In Syria, hundreds commemorated the day by marching through the streets of Damascus while chanting anti-Israel slogans.
Based on reporting by AP and dpa
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
