Iranian Cleric Proposes Salary Deductions To Help Palestinian Groups

An Iranian cleric in charge of government assistance to Palestinian groups has proposed a “voluntary” contribution deducted from salaries in Iran to help Palestinians.

Mohammad-Hassan Akhtari, who is the head of the presidential committee of support for “the Islamic revolution of the Palestinian people,” was quoted by media in Tehran on Saturday as calling for a government decision to institute the contributions.

Although he spoke of voluntary contributions, such a scheme would amount to a tax for Palestine, especially in the case of the vast government-sector employees. People will be pressured to contribute regardless of the voluntary nature of any proposal or government decision.

Akhtari, who was appointed to his current post by the more moderate former president, Hassan Rouhani, a decade ago, was quoted as saying that “During this time, we have been able to deliver assistance to Palestine through various means. There are ways to provide aid despite all the difficulties.”

Iran's Islamic regime has been a staunch supporter of Palestinian and other militant groups in the region, having created a proxy network of armed militias dedicated to the destruction of Israel.

Although Tehran has avoided direct involvement in the Gaza war since last October, its proxies including the Lebanese Hezbollah and Yemen's Houthis have attacked Israel. The Houthis have also launched almost daily attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea.