UPDATED ON:
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
19:42 Mecca time, 16:42 GMT
 
News Middle East
Iran urges Arabs to act on Gaza
Ahmadinejad also criticised the United Nations asking "to which nations does this UN belong" [AFP]

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the president of Iran, has told the Arab League it should take action "quickly" to end the Israeli attacks on Gaza.

Speaking on Wednesday as Arab ministers met in Cairo, Ahmadinejad warned that setting up committees and making speeches would not be an adequate response to the offensive that has killed nearly 400 Palestinians.

"If the Arab League does not want to do anything today, when does it want to act?" he told a rally in Zahedan in southeast Iran, the Reuters news agency reported. 

Ahmadinejad did not suggest what action Arab leaders should take.

"Aren't these oppressed Palestinians Arabs? So, when should the capacity of the Arab League be used? The Arab League should act quickly," he said.

The Iranian leader also criticised the United Nations' response to the assault on Gaza.

"To which nations does this UN belong? This security council is for the security of which part of the world?" he said.

Unity urged

At the opening of the Cairo meeting, Amr Moussa, general secretary of the Arab League, called for an immediate meeting of rival Palestinian factions, including Hamas and Fatah.

"I think the need for the organisation of an Islamic position is long overdue and one of an Arab League position is also overdue"

Prince El Hassan Bin Talal of Jordan

However, expectations were extremely low that the summit would achieve a major breakthrough in the crisis.

Nisreen Al Shamayleh, reporting from Cairo for Al Jazeera, said that despite widespread protests across the Arab world it was unlikely that the league would agree a concrete response.

"We have seen strong reaction from the Arab street and strong condemnation of the Israeli attacks and Arab inaction and silence," she said.

"Many people believe it shouldn't have taken 390 Palestinian casualties and 2,000 Palestinian injuries for the Arab ministers to get together."

She said the outcome of the meeting could echo the league's emergency summit on the war in Lebanon in 2006, which failed to lead to a concrete response.

Jordan's Prince El Hassan Bin Talal told Al Jazeera he believed that action from league members was "overdue" and that more demonstrations would be held across the Arab world in protest against Israel’s bombardment of the Gaza Strip.

"I think the need for the organisation of an Islamic conference position is long overdue and one of an Arab League position is also overdue," he said.

Meanwhile, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish prime minister, arrived in Syria at the start of his diplomatic tour of the region.

Rula Amin, Al Jazeera's correspondent in Damascus, said: "It is pretty ironic that more than 22 countries are meeting and expectations are very low that they will do anything to help and now all hopes are pinned on the Turkish prime minister."

 Source: Al Jazeera and agencies
Feedback Number of comments : 41
 
JB
United States
31/12/2008
Iran urges Arabs to act on Gaza
There is immediate action Arabs can take to end the blood letting in Gaza. Stop funding the terrorist organization Hamas. When Hamas runs out of funds to continue their bombardment of Israel, peace will come to Gaza

Timo
Finland
31/12/2008
The Arab League, do something!
Does the Arab League have a common program to help Palestinians? What does the Arab League suggest to solve this problem? The silence is certainly not a solution.

Anon E Mous
United Kingdom
31/12/2008
Gaza
Gaza! Simple.... People who live in glass houses should not be throwing stones! The End

Ali Baba
Australia
31/12/2008
Gaza
A waste of time having the Arab league when these Arabs have no unity. Only when all associations with Western nations are broken can we prevent their influence and meddling in our lands. The problem with the Gazans plight is due to the Egyptians and their coddling with the Yanks and Jews.

M.Al-Harazi
Saudi Arabia
31/12/2008
Act on Gaza
We must take to the streets in the Arab and Muslim world. We must raise our voices and pressure our governments even if they shoot us, it is still a duty for whoever falls martyr in these protests is a martyr on the path to al-Quds (Jerusalem), a martyr of Islam, and a martyr of a whole line of prophets and divine missions, they are martyrs of humanity.

salah
United States
31/12/2008
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is right
it seems that Iran is the only true Muslim nation, the only one who seems to care for the Palestinians.

Adeel
Canada
31/12/2008
Iran urges Arabs to act on Gaza
Ahmadinejad has been so demonized by the western media yet he appers to be the only one propsing some form of action, and not immediately military action, to an unacceptable situation. Perhaps this action should be the isolation of Isreal in the same fashion they have isolated our Palestinain brothers and sisters. Non violent but it could be quite effective when they start running out of gas, oil, petrol, food and medical supplies. Afterall, the US can not provide everything all the time.

Tayeb
Portugal
31/12/2008
Iran urges Arabs to act on Gaza
Have all muslims leaders become chicken? Have they lost all of their self-esteem? It is asked of them at least to have self-esteem, if they don't believe in Divine Justice!

Jerry Copeland
United States
31/12/2008
Gaza: Arab INsolidarity
While it is easy to condemn the Arab League for its indecisiveness part of the responsibility for this must be placed upon the USA for it are the convoluted relationships and financial arrangements that tie most of the Arab states to US policy deters any true independent action on the Arab states response at the fear of breaking those beneficial ties. The ability of a successful unified action must be found while protecting national sovereignity. This can be done. Seek the guidance of Heaven.

yuslin
Afghanistan
31/12/2008
Why are you so afraid
Really shame on Arab leaders we have at least seen a lot of protests from the people of different Arab countries. Thanks to Ahmadinejad May ALLAH help him through out his effort to tackle all these enemies.

k.
Afghanistan
31/12/2008
Cairo is the place where scheme against Palestinians was hatched, with full knowledge of Egyptian government not only a week ago, but since 1921, when a conference of British authorities convened in Cairo and Jerusalem under the direction of the secretary of state for the colonies, Mr. Winston Churchill.

Richard
United States
31/12/2008
Why is everyone naive?
Iran's actions are 100% about political tactics and 0% about helping Palestinians. Islamism is a catastrophe waiting to happen for the Arab world and any Arab government standing up to Hamas and (idiotic) Arab public opinion deserves praise.

Saoirse
Ireland
31/12/2008
Iran urges Arabs to act on Gaza
How ofter have we watched as Israel pushes ahead with its plan of ethnic cleansing in the Palestinian territories. We have seen, again and again, the bull-dozers demolish villages and farms. This blitzkrieg is just another stage. Ahmadinejad is correct. The UN is only interested in the security of the US, UK and the West. The West is in an economic crisis and the Arab world now has to power and the duty to stop this genocide.

Nadeem Ahmed
United Kingdom
31/12/2008
Mahmoud Ahmedinijad Speech on Gaza
I believe that the arab leaders are puppets of the West and are corrupt. The only muslim country that speaks against the U.S. and Israel is Iran (Mahmoud Ahmedinijad). He is a true muslim leader. If only the arab states had leaders like him, perhaps the palestinians would not be suffering. For God sake the Israelis are sorrounded by Arabs why can't they help the palestinians. Because america says to them have $50 billion dollars and shurrup. May God give Mahmoud the strength to fight his enemie

hafeezyy
Saudi Arabia
31/12/2008
they are just afraid
what are they afraid of? they have the wealth of oil.. but still afraid to go against US and Israel. shame on the arab leaders..shame on you...just concern about their position and power..

Ahmad Hisham
United States
31/12/2008
?
Why don't YOU act? It is easy to sit in your safe house and instigate militant groups in the region. It must be really satisfying to score political points on the blood of the palestinian civilians?

Ace
United Kingdom
31/12/2008
Gaza
Shame on us, the muslims. Shame on our leaders for being allowed to be blackmailed.

Israelites
United States
02/01/2009
shame on them
Shame on Israel. Do they have no "SOUL"? Didn't this happen to Jews of Europe? The Arabs, allowed them to live in the Arab world for thousands of years, as their brothers. Since 1948, the killing of Arabs, has been constant. Was this the Arabs fault, that the Jews needed a homeland or a place to occupy, therefore, exterminate every Arab that lives in that region? What emptiness, can humans resort to. For shame, on those who take human lives, in vein.

Aslam
Sri Lanka
02/01/2009
Gaza
Shame on Puppet Arab League Leaders. If they can't act at this moment what is the point of having a Arab League???????

Faisal Yaqoob
United Kingdom
03/01/2009
No expectations from those puppets
We have no expectations from these so called arab leaders. First of all they made a muslim issue an arab issue. Rather than calling for OIC meeting which is a bigger forum and have more representation in world they called for Arab league summit. But one thing is clear all of them are murderer of my brothers,sisters and childerns in GAZA and Insha Allah they will pay and we will see this Insha Allah

Gary Vyner
United States
03/01/2009
Why?
Non-stop fighting, finger pointing, and hate. Why? Holy Land? 2000 years of wars and deaths for what? Holy Land? Do you think any of your saviors would want this? I know my God would disagree with the idea of holy land. Both sides have been fighting over what they think their "book" says. Your all wrong. The Bible and Koran are teachings about peace and how to be a good person. Find some new "Holy Land" and end this for good.

Victor
United States
03/01/2009
Why?
Because Israel is not attacking the Arab League or their countries. Only the Palestinians. There is no urgency to stop the conflict. Why is Ahmadinejab urging action? Iran funded Hamas. The plan to unite the world against Israel backfired even when the Palestinians are offered to be slaughtered. Why doesn't Iran send fighters to Gaza? They're afraid too. Fear is a common factor when facing Israel.

Anwar
Lebanon
03/01/2009
waste of time
The arabs might as well go and play golf, they have buried their heads in the sand for so long why change now. If they are not shamed in to an arab summit it won't happen. They haven't even set a date yet.

ana n
Australia
03/01/2009
Yeh man I agree. We want it to end now. iI dont wanna wait anymore. Enough is enough I'm sick of it. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is right, I agree with what he's saying here. He is a true leader man. He's up against Israel and America.

Monty
United Kingdom
02/01/2009
Iran urges Arab League
The middle east (Israeli-Palestinian) war didn't start this morning and is not going to stop this evening. It has got its own, more than 60 years history, and both sides do have an experience of 'trusting each others'. What I can see here is a further division in Moslem World that may play well into someone else's hands. No one including Israel can guarantee that whenever qassam bombs stop being fired the so-called peace and independent Palestine will be reality. It's not because of qassam bombs

Ali A
Canada
03/01/2009
Iran urges Arabs to act on Gaza
Shame on all Arab leaders. The only Muslim leader who has the guts to stand to the West and Israel is Ahmadinajad. He is Shia Muslim helping Suni Muslim. Shame on all Arab leaders. Especially Saudi, Egypt and Jordan.

Mike
United States
03/01/2009
Arab League Should Act Against Iran
Let’s see: Palestinians dissatisfied with the corruption of Fatah elect the opposition Hamas. Contrary to the wishes of most Palestinians, Hamas launches missiles into Israel. This is not what the Palestinians voted for, although they don’t dare complain. Iran provides larger, longer-range, more accurate missiles to Hamas, enabling them to martyr the Palestinians in order to provoke a war that Iran won't have to fight. Is Al Jazeera is too stupid to see through this? Or perhaps complicit?

Mark
Canada
03/01/2009
Gaza
Stop these rocket into Isreal. Why do these militants not care about their own people getting killed. How many billions of dollars and time is needed to be pumped into this region for 60 years? Ahmadinejad and his friends - how many Muslims did he kill during the Iran - Iraq war. Millions, and the Muslims praise him . Sorry, this is a not right.

tjm308
Afghanistan
03/01/2009
part of the reason...
Why don’ t they take action – like what? What did Ahmadinejad suggest? Consider – combine all the Arab nations – how many carriers do they have? Cut off oil – who is buying it? Despite what I just said, I wish SOMEONE would work out a lasting peace. I think they’re open for suggestions.

John
United States
03/01/2009
Iran urges Arabs to act on Gaza
He may have a point. This would be a good time to act. The Isralies have their troops massed on the border - a perfect target lined up in rows. Seems like a good time for Egypt, Jordan and Syria to use their US donated weapons.

Abu Bakar
Malaysia
03/01/2009
It seems clearer that the leadership of the Muslim world will eventually not be by an Arab or any Arab country. A non-Arab will be the leader of the Muslim world, although Prophet Mohamed was an Arab and Islam originated from the Arab peninsula. Ahmadinejad is an example of a potential leader which the Muslim world desperately needs. No current leader in the Arab world seems to have the courage and charisma to fit this role. Arabs are just so disunited.

masuma
United States
03/01/2009
Egyptians wake up
Iran is right I am Sunni now I want to call myself Shea. Sunni leaders are cowards and puppets of the west. Egyptians please come out in street in millions and over throw this puppet government. Hassan Nasrullah and Ahmedinijad are both Heroes

jOHN
United States
03/01/2009
The leader of Arab Countries
You time is coming as the Arab's of the world get more educated. There will be no more Kings. They were put on power by the west and will be removed by thier own people in near future.

David
Iraq
03/01/2009
Proxies
The Arab league can only do one thing to help broker a stop fire peace treaty with Israel and Hamas. Israel's military is too strong for them trust me on this one. They need the commerce from oil sales with the west especially Iran. Commerce brings jobs, food, and tech. They must suck up their pride and broker a peace treaty and encourage Hamas and Israel to follow by. Iran needs to stop creating violent proxies that encourage death while they stay safe in their borders.

Elias
Australia
05/01/2009
Gaza
Iran shouldnt even get involved, it is them who are funding these militants. Religion and Politics is what has destroyed the Middle East. I am of Lebanese Heritage and have seen over the years how the fight for power has destroyed Lebanon. Hamas needs to be destroyed once and for all and its about bloody time that Israel is doing something about it. Its sad that innocent people are dying but I am guessing Hamas do not give a crap as if they did they would have not instigated this.

Dalmo
Afghanistan
06/01/2009
FREEDOM TO THE PALESTIANS!
I am not Jewish and nor Arab. I am a Brazilian who does not like injustices. Ahmadinejad is right! The Arabs need to unite. You does not need to wait for the United National. That is a kitchen of the USA to serve to the interests of them and friends... The Arabs cannot leave the Palestinians to be massacreed for Israel. You need to change the rules of this dirty game supported for USA. You need to make as the Russia made against the Georgia. Then certainly a solution will come faster.

Ray
United States
06/01/2009
Iran
Iran is only good at inciting fighting. How much has it provided military aid to Gaza or fought on its behalf. The root cause of current problem is Hamas who are keeping the Gazans under bullet. Arabs are great people. They will proper if they live peacefully side by side with Isreal. Inshalla.

Gregoris
Greece
06/01/2009
Cowboys and Indians
George Bush is a shameless person and is the axis of evil in our world today! Good riddance to him and his thirst for innocent blood and his ignorance of human decency. This is like Schindler's List - with discriminating killing of humans that have very little left. Being locked up and continuously raped in your own home is not a choice that people make - on top of that you are blamed and condemned to death. WHat the hell is wrong with America!

noa
Denmark
06/01/2009
gaza
as long as the worlds grasp on the pig picture ramains so frail, there will be no hope nor no peace, remember to breath.

Israelites 4 peace
Afghanistan
06/01/2009
Most of you, should keep an eye on the U.S politics, as far as, the dumping of all "unused products", has been unloaded to Israel and for further power. Sept. 08, democratic party gave major $ to Israel. Stop, blaming Iran. The entire world should be complaining and outraged, for the bad behavior of Israel. You shouldn't be dogging each other, rather unit in the blog. Keep unity! Israel, will never broker a peace deal, as long as, there are Palestinians alive, in Palestine! God help them!

Sharib
Saudi Arabia
06/01/2009
I think if all the Arab leaders would have thought like Ahmedinejad from the beginning, the situation in Gaza would have been a bit under control by now.. And to Hell with Bush, who cares about his views. Middle east has become is like a live experimental laboratory for America and Israel to test their high tech weapons..

 
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