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Israeli PM accuses Iran of supporting "Palestinian terrorism"

Xinhua, February 25, 2016 Adjust font size:

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that world nations must help Israel counter what he described as the threat posed by Iran's alleged support of terrorism, specifically "Palestinian terrorism."

Netanyahu, commenting during a meeting with Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov in Jerusalem, referred to the Islamic Republic' declaration that it would financially compensate families of Palestinian attackers killed after attacking Israelis.

"Yesterday Iran announced it will finance terrorists and murderers' families," Netanyahu said, according to a statement from his office.

"This confirms that Iran, even following the nuclear agreement, continues to support terrorism," said Netanyahu.

Iran's ambassador to Lebanon, Mohammad Fateh Ali, reportedly said Wednesday that Iran will give 7,000 U.S. dollars each to families of "martyrs of the intifada in occupied Jerusalem" plus "30,000 dollars to every family whose home was demolished by the Israeli occupation."

The declarations came amid a five-month wave of violence that has claimed the lives of 28 Israelis, by stabbing, shooting or vehicular attacks, and over 170 Palestinians, some died in clashes with Israeli security forces during protests, while others were killed after attacking or attempting to attack Israelis.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry said Wednesday that Iran's declarations show its "deep involvement and support of terrorism against Israel."

Netanyahu again accused the Palestinian Authority of inciting violence, an accusation rejected by Palestinians who blamed Israel's decades-long occupation of the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip for the violent outbreak.

Israel has been a vocal opponent of a deal reached in July 2014 between Tehran and major world powers over Iran's nuclear program, deeming it a "historic mistake."

Netanyahu and his associates warned in the past several years against the threat a nuclear Iran poses to Israel's safety, even hinting several times at a possible preemptive strike against Iran's nuclear facilities. Endit