Islam Times - Iran Considers Referendum as Only Solution to Palestinian Issue

Islam Times - The only way envisaged for the settlement of Israeli-Palestinian conflict is holding a public referendum on the Palestinian territories, Iranian Ambassador to Ashgabat Seyed Mohammad Mousa Hashemi Golpayegani stressed.

Islam Times reports from FNA: "Holding a public referendum with the participation of all the displaced Palestinians and refugees is the Islamic Republic of Iran's strategy for solving the dispute in Palestine," Hashemi Golpayegani said on Friday night.

He also called on all international circles and bodies to welcome Iran's proposal for the Israeli-Palestinian issue, and said the proposal which is completely based on logic, principles of democracy and international laws will save the lives of millions of Palestinians from the Zionist regime's atrocities.

Reiterating Iran's foreign policy, the envoy stressed that the Islamic Republic of Iran stands against oppression and tyranny in every part of the world

"We oppose any kind of cruelty and will defend oppressed Muslims," he stressed.

Iran has long sought the holding of a referendum on the Occupied Palestine to settle the issue.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in August 2008 had called for a referendum to determine the future of the Palestinians, and urged Western governments to end their support for Israel.

"Our position is clear on this issue. A referendum should take place in Palestine. If they withdraw from invaded lands it would be a good step," he said at the time.

Tehran's solution to the Middle-East conflict was put forward once again while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and acting Palestinian Authority (PA) Chief Mahmoud Abbas resumed direct talks in Washington on Thursday.

The talks froze in December 2008 after Israel launched a deadly attack on the Gaza Strip, which claimed the lives of 1,400 at the turn of 2009.

Abbas, who agreed to sit at the negotiating table with Israel without any preconditions, is facing mounting criticism from Palestinians who accuse the PA of bending under "US and Israeli pressure."

The Palestinians have also raised concerns that further concessions on the part of Abbas could lead to an intensified violation of their rights by Israel.