TEHRAN – The Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement on Saturday described the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, as a central supporter of the Palestinian people and a staunch defender of the Muslim world’s sovereignty.

In a statement, the group praised Ayatollah Khamenei as a “fundamental pillar” of support for the Palestinian people, who provided sustained backing to Palestinian resistance movements over several decades. 

The group said the late Leader was a firm defender of the sovereignty of the Muslim nation against hegemonic 

agendas, hailing him as a wise leader whose decisions played a decisive role in Iran’s military, logistical and political support for the Palestinian cause.
Islamic Jihad Secretary-General Ziyad al-Nakhalah, who attended the funeral ceremonies in Tehran, told reporters he had come on behalf of Palestinian resistance fighters to pay tribute to the late Leader. 
Al-Nakhalah described Ayatollah Khamenei as a distinguished leader with a deep commitment to the Palestinian cause, adding that Palestinians held him in high regard. He also said the Islamic Republic had consistently supported the Palestinian people and would continue to do so.