Iran has officially resumed funding for the Palestinian Islamic Jihad organization, the London-based newspaper Asharq al-Awsat has reported, confirming a Breitbart Jerusalem report last month.
The paper reported that following an official visit to Tehran by Islamic Jihad leaders, led by Secretary-General Ramadan Shallah and his deputies Ziad Nahaleh and Akram Ajuri, the Islamic republic decided to renew its financial support for the radical organization after a two-year hiatus.
In return, Iran demanded an overhaul of the terrorist group’s military wing, the Al-Quds Brigades, including the appointment of a new commander, who has been named as Khaled Mansur, a devout pro-Iranian loyalist.
During a meeting in April, Iranian officials told the Islamic Jihad delegation that they would provide $70 million annually.
Asharq al-Awsat also corroborates Breitbart Jerusalem’s report that the new deal was reached thanks to Hezbollah’s mediation.
The paper said that Tehran was very satisfied with Shallah’s pronouncements following the visit.
Shallah was quoted as saying: “The Arab states don’t support the Palestinian intifada because of their leaders’ conflicting views, however Iran is the only country supporting the intifada and the families of the martyrs.”
“Defending Palestine is defending Islam,” he added. “The latest developments in the Arab countries allowed the Zionist entity to commit more crimes against the Palestinians and get away with it.”
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