TEHRAN – Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, currently in Algeria for the 7th meeting of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), has warned that those remaining silent about the Gaza situation today will inevitably face severe consequences tomorrow.

"Currently, Palestine stands as the moral compass for humanity, ethics, and the conscience of the global community," asserted Raisi during his speech at the forum.

He prioritized discussing critical issues related to Palestine, the Islamic world, and humanity, highlighting the Western hegemonic system's current weakened state, built upon the colonization of nations and relying on the oppressor-oppressed dynamic for survival.

Drawing examples, he noted that resilient nations like Algeria managed to free themselves from oppressive burdens through resistance and sacrifice. However, certain nations, including the oppressed Palestinians, still bear the weight of this burden on their shoulders.

Raisi underscored the undeniable reality that the establishment of the Zionist regime was a colonial project aimed at preserving Western dominance and influence in the region. He observed that the steadfastness of the Palestinian people has led to the slow crumbling of the Israeli regime, with irreversible blows to its structure. Raisi emphasized everyone's responsibility to support this oppressed and resilient nation in every conceivable way.

Raisi highlighted that the current conflict represents a clash between the axis of tyranny and the axis of dignity. He explained, "On one side, there's a military force eagerly anticipating more potent weapons and bombs from the United States, while on the other side, children long for a mere morsel of bread."

He pointed out that those opting for silence today will undoubtedly endure harsh repercussions tomorrow. 

Emphasizing the current role of Palestine as the moral compass for humanity, Raisi cited official statistics detailing over 30,000 women and children martyred by Zionist terrorists. Additionally, thousands remain trapped under rubble for months due to relentless bombardment, denying any opportunity to recover their bodies.

Raisi continued, stating that hundreds of thousands of women and children are on the verge of death due to malnutrition and disease, with the United States’ policies pushing Gaza to the brink of a famine.

"Today, the global cry for justice in support of the Palestinians resounds from Latin America to Africa and Europe," declared Raisi.

He concluded by referencing the Al-Rasheed Street food aid massacre, whereby the Israeli troops opened fire on hundreds waiting for food aid southwest of Gaza City. Raisi noted, "The tragedy of the deliberate massacre of dozens of innocent and hungry people, who had gathered to procure food but were ruthlessly slaughtered by the terrorist Israeli army, is unbearable and demands a robust and international response." More than 100 Palestinians have been killed and some 700 others wounded in this incident, Gaza’s health officials say, as the besieged enclave faces an unprecedented hunger crisis.

Raisi discusses recent Gaza developments with Emir of Qatar 

During the visit, the Iranian chief executive held a meeting with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. In this meeting, Raisi discussed the depth of relations between the two countries, emphasizing the swift implementation of existing agreements as a crucial step for the unprecedented development of Tehran-Doha relations.

While condemning the Zionist regime's atrocities in Gaza, Raisi criticized the inaction of some Islamic countries towards the crimes committed by the Zionists. He highlighted the lack of effective actions to stop Zionist crimes in Gaza since the emergency meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Riyadh. He lamented that despite the ongoing atrocities, economic relationships between some regional governments and the Zionist regime persist.

Raisi regarded economic relations with the Zionist regime as financial support for this regime, predicting that the consequences of these governments' actions would eventually catch up with them. He added that these events are occurring while the United States and the Zionist regime, in their quest to continue their crimes, are buying time.

Emir of Qatar, on his part, highlighted that the relations between the two countries are at their peak, considering this level of relations an honor for the Qatari side. While elaborating on the latest developments in the region, he emphasized that the massacre of innocent people in Gaza, who were in line to receive humanitarian aid, will never be forgotten in the collective memory of the world's people.

Since the inception of the war on October 7, Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip has resulted in the death of more than 30,000 Palestinians, with a majority being women and children. Another 70,457 individuals have been wounded, and many bodies remain trapped under rubble. Approximately 576,000 people, about a quarter of Gaza’s population, are now "one step away from famine," according to the UN humanitarian affairs chief.

Heading a high-ranking politico-economic delegation, Raisi departed Tehran for Algiers in the early hours of Saturday to attend the 7th meeting of the leaders of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF).

Raisi’s trip marks the fourth visit of Iranian presidents to the North African country, taking place with a gap of about 14 years after former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s visit in 2010.

The GECF, established in 2008 based on an initial proposal by Iran as one of the world’s largest holders of natural gas reserves, consists of 13 permanent members and seven observers.

Raisi’s trip occurs against the backdrop of Iran’s efforts to strengthen relations with North African countries, including Sudan, with which Iran had strained relations in recent years, and with Egypt, a country that has had no diplomatic relations with Iran since 1979.