Iranians rally against Israel for Quds Day

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TEHRAN, Aug. 17 (UPI) -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Friday called Israel an "insult to all humanity" in a speech during an anti-Zionist Quds Day event in Tehran.

Thousands of protesters took to the streets across Iran for Quds Day, carrying signs bearing slogans such as "Down with the US" and "Death to Israel," The Jerusalem Post reported.

"Today, Israel and the Zionist entity are against the preservation of all human rights and human dignity," Ahmadinejad said at one event Friday.

During his speech, Ahmadinejad underscored Iran's support of Palestine and condemned the occupation of Palestinian territories by Israel, Iran's Fars News Agency reported.

"The Israeli regime is a tool in the hands of Zionists to control the Middle East and the entire world," Ahmadinejad stated.

The last Friday of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan was declared Quds Day by Iranian religious leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in August 1979. Khomeini called on Iranians to rally in support of Palestinians and against Israel.