Refusenik. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Photo: Reuters
Ahmadinejad urges IDF troops to refuse orders
Unusual post featured on Tehran's presidential website implores IDF soldiers to take action against Israeli offensive in Gaza. 'The time has come for you to protest against your commanders and disobey their orders,' says post
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad took the unusual step of addressing Israeli troops on his official website Thursday, and calling on them to disobey their commanders.
He also urged "residents of occupied Palestine", a reference to Israelis and Palestinians, to publicly protest the Israeli offensive in Gaza.
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Israel accuses Iran of providing weapons to Hamas. Tehran insists it provides financial, humanitarian and moral support.
"You soldiers of the Zionist regime ... Why should you kill innocent women and children? The time has come for you to protest against your commanders and disobey their orders." He wrote.
Iranian hardliners have staged a series of protests in support of Palestinians, in particular gathering outside the Jordanian embassy and Egypt's diplomatic mission. Both Arab countries have peace treaties with Israel.
Protesters have focused on Egypt, which does not have full diplomatic ties with Iran, for closing its border with Gaza.
In an interview with Iran's Arabic-language satellite channel Al-Alam, Ahmadinejad urged Egypt to open the crossing.
Egypt sometimes allows wounded people and medical supplies through its border with Gaza but the crossing has been closed to ordinary traffic since Hamas seized control there in 2007.
Cairo has also blamed Hamas for the Israeli assault on Gaza.
