Donors Conference for Gaza: Iran has its own

March 5, 7:52 PMForeign Policy ExaminerAimee Kligman

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(photo: AP / Andrew Medichini) Ahmadinejad

In response to the Gaza Donors Conference which was held in Sharm El Sheikh, and hosted by Hosni Mubarak where pledges of over $5.2 billion were made for the reconstruction of the area, Iran just ended its own version of a two days conference in support of Hamas.

Yesterday's televised news from the Middle East showed Ayatollah Khameini, the man who really calls the shots in Iran,  calling for the Israeli leaders to be put on trial. He referred to them as Zionist criminals. Over thirty countries were in attendance to determine how to best assist Hamas and promote resistance against Israel.

This does not bode well for the Obama administration that has been looking for ways to engage with Iran on a number of issues it considers important. It also wasn't helpful during Hillary Clinton's visit for her to put the total onus of the war on Hamas and their rocket launches, never mentioning once the humanitarian disaster resulting from the Israeli invasion, nor Israel's reluctance to open borders for humanitarian and other aid.

Khameini was quoted as saying: 'Even the new president of the United States who came to power with the motto of changing the Bush administration's policies talks about unconditional commitment to secure Israel; this is defending terrorism by a government.'

 During the televised broadcast of the conference, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was suggesting that an international front against Zionism be organized.

The Fares Iranian agency reported that the office of the Iranian General Prosecutor demanded Interpol to issues arrest warrants to 34 senior Israeli political leaders and 114 military leaders. This includes Ehud Olmert, Tzipi Livni and Ehud Barak. Iranian leaders called the Gaza conference in Egypt a 'fake' since it included countries who supported the Israeli offensive, and that even Egypt refused to open its borders to assist the Palestinians.

Lawmakers from the following countries were in attendance: Lebanon, Syria, Sudan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan and Mali. Other countries, including Turkey, Indonesia, Algeria, Bolivia, Jordan and Yemen, also had representatives. One of the leaders from Bahrain was seen on TV saying that he could not understand how any peace process could proceed without Hamas, and that it was essential to include Hamas in negotiations.

It has not yet been reported if any funds were pledged at the Iran Conference, but having Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkey, Indonesia there is certainly a slap in the face for the US.

Obama has the ears and eyes of the world. When he appeared on Al Arabiya television during his first week in office, he made some seemingly serious commitments that the U.S. would reverse its hostile foreign policy, especially toward the Muslim world, and welcome unclenched fists. It would appear that Hillary Clinton's visit to the Middle East betrayed that commitment.