http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1053966.html
Last update - 21:48 08/01/2009
Iran bans volunteer suicide bombers from traveling to Israel
By Reuters
Tags: Iran, IDF, Gaza, Hamas
Iran's top leader banned hardline Iranian volunteers on Thursday from
leaving the country to carry out suicide bombings against Israel but warned
that Iran would not spare any effort to assist the militant group Hamas in
other ways.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's ban sought to tone down calls by allies of
hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to toughen Iran's stand against Israel.
But they also exposed hidden rifts between the supreme leader and the president
five months before elections in which Ahmadinejad, whose popularity has been
waning, is seeking a second term.
Hardline Iranian student groups had asked the government to authorize
volunteers to go carry out suicide bombings in Israel in support of Hamas. The
students began signing up volunteers after Khamenei issued a religious decree
on Dec. 28 saying anyone killed while defending Palestinians in Gaza against
Israeli attacks would be considered a martyr.
But a week later, Khamenei's comments sharply contrasted his religious
order.
"I thank the pious and devoted youth who have asked to go to Gaza ... but
it must be noted that our hands are tied in this arena," Khamenei said on state
television. He did not elaborate about what efforts Iran would take to help
Hamas in other ways.
The student groups claim that more than 70,000 people throughout Iran
have registered as volunteer suicide bombers since Israel launched its assault
against Hamas-ruled Gaza on Dec. 27. Israel's bombardment of Gaza, which has
killed about 700 Palestinians, has outraged many in Iran and the rest of the
world. Israel says it launched its campaign in retaliation for Hamas rocket
fire aimed at civilians in southern Israeli towns.
Iran is Hamas' main backer, and Israel has accused Iran of providing
Hamas with weapons. Iran has denied the charges, saying its backing for the
militant group is limited to political and financial support.
Iran also considers Israel its archenemy, and Ahmadinejad has called for
Israel to be wiped off the map.
Khamenei also criticized the United Nations and European powers for their
failure to condemn Israeli bombardment of Gaza, saying Israeli attacks won't
stop Palestinian resistance.
"Even if the enemy (Israel), God forbids, kills all Hamas and Palestinian
combatants ... such crimes won't resolve the issue. Undoubtedly, Palestine will
stand up stronger and will ultimately achieve victory," he said.
Iranian political analyst Saeed Leilaz said hardline student groups,
provoked by Ahmadinejad, were getting out of control and Khamenei intervened to
end any possible political manipulation of students by the president.
Criticism of Ahmadinejad has been increasing in the wake of rising
inflation and the belief by some conservatives and reformists that his
anti-Western rhetoric has done more harm than good for the country.
Ahmadinejad has used the Gaza fighting as an opportunity to further
radicalize the political situation in Iran for two reasons: to provoke tensions
in order to cause a hike in oil prices and improve his chances of re-election
in the presidential vote in June. But the top leader doesn't support a further
radicalization of Iran, he said.
Oil prices have plummeted from a high near $150 in July last year to
around $35 - severely straining the Iranian economy and undermining
Ahmadinejad's ability to pursue his economic agenda. In recent days, oil prices
has been increasing, reaching about $43 a barrel on Wednesday.
Khamenei has strongly supported Ahmadinejad since his election in 2005,
but the two don't necessarily agree on all issues. Khamenei, who stands above
factional politics but generally supports hardliners over reformists, reversed
a decision by Ahmadinejad last year and ordered him to implement a law
supplying natural gas to remote villages during a dispute with the parliament.
Leilaz said it was clear that Iran won't allow suicide bombers to cross
its border and fight Israel and Ahmadinejad simply sought to manipulate the
issue for his own political agenda.
In the past week, Ahmadinejad allies have been encouraging hardline
students to gather in various cities. Mahdi Kalhor, Ahmadinejad's press
adviser, sought to further inflame hardline protests last week when he urged
the students take measures beyond street demonstrations.
"We have to be a pioneer nation (in assisting Hamas) ... why should we
not be in Gaza today?" Kalhor asked a hardline student gathering on Sunday.
The same day, Ahmadinejad's brother was ordered to address the same
students to calm them down. Davoud Ahmadinejad told the gathering an hour later
that it was not possible to send any volunteers to Gaza, according to the
semiofficial Fars news agency.
On Dec. 30, dozens of hardline students broke into the British Embassy
residence in Tehran, accusing Britain of supporting the Israeli air assault on
Gaza
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