Arab world condemns Israel

Egypt, Syria, Iran, Qatar and Turkey were among the countries Thursday that quickly condemn Israel's military offensive in Gaza. The Muslim Brotherhood called on Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi to sever ties with Israel and called for Egyptians to participate in protests around the country Thursday and following Friday prayers, Ahram Online said. A statement released by the Muslim Brotherhood said the Egyptian government "cannot stand less than cutting all relations with the Zionist entity, since the Egyptian state needs to stand as a role model to Arabs and Muslims." Israel's "criminal aggressions" threatens regional stability, the statement said. The Muslim Brotherhood also condemned the United States for supporting Israel and lashed at Arab countries for "standing idly as Palestinian blood is shed." Syria, embroiled in a bloody civil war that has claimed more than 35,000 lives, also condemned Israel. A statement by the official Sana news agency said the Syrian government denounces the "barbaric, reprehensible crimes committed by the Israeli army against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip." The government called on the international community to pressure Israel to cease its military activities and implored "the free and honest people of the world to move seriously to confront this tyranny and repel Israel which constantly ignores international legitimacy," the statement said. Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al-Thani also condemned Israel. "This filthy crime must no pass without punishment," he said during a meeting in the Saudi capital. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said Palestine's resistance movement would respond with a "crushing response" to Israel's airstrikes. "The new players and the new atmosphere in the region will deprive the criminal Zionists from the opportunity for any aggression," he said on Press TV. A statement issued by Turkey's Foreign Ministry called on the international community and the United Nations to respond to Israel's military operation in Gaza, the Hurriyet Daily News said. "We harshly condemn Israel's offensive and it must be stopped immediately," the statement said, adding Israel is not above international law. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called for the Arab League to convene an emergency session and halt Israel's offensive, Ma'an news agency said. Abbas warned the Israeli airstrikes on Gaza could have "dangerous consequences."