Iran to seek anti-Israel resolution at IPU assembly

Iran plans to make a request for the approval of an article to condemn Israel's crackdown on Palestinians in the Al-Aqsa mosque compound at the upcoming meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

An Iranian lawmaker said on Monday that Tehran wants an 'emergency item' on the Al-Aqsa issue to be included in the agenda of the IPU assembly in Geneva, scheduled to be held from October 20-22, IRNA reported.

Violent clashes erupted in the Al-Aqsa mosque compound after Israel closed the holy site to Palestinians in late September and deployed thousands of troops in the Old City to allow the holding of a Jewish religious ceremony at the site.

On Sunday, Israel lifted its restrictions on Muslim entry to the Al-Aqsa Mosque after days of clashes between Palestinian worshipers and Israeli police, which left 16 Palestinians dead and several Israeli police officers injured.

A parliamentary delegation, headed by Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani, will attend the assembly, said Rapporteur of the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Kazem Jalali.

“The Iranian delegation seeks to obtain the approval of an emergency item on the Al-Aqsa issue,” Jalali said. “If approved, a resolution can be passed on the issue.”