Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei emphasised that “the abolishment of Israel does not mean the abolishment of the Jewish people. We have nothing to do with them. Furthermore, there is a Jewish population living in our country in safety.” He maintained that “the people of Palestine, including the Muslims, Christians and Jews who are the original owners of that land, should be able to choose their government themselves. They should oust the foreigners and ruffians, like [Israeli Prime Minister] Netanyahu, in order to govern their country themselves. And, this will surely happen”.