(CNSNews.com) -- Ayatollah Seyyed Ahamad Khatami said during Friday prayers in Tehran that the “Zionist regime” will “disappear from the face of the world” once Islamic unity is achieved in the Middle East.

The state-run international news service, Press TV, reported that Khatami praised what Iranians call the “Islamic Awakening,” otherwise known as the Arab Spring, and viewed it as a testament to Muslim strength in the region.

He added that the “Zionists … only understand the language of force,” and negotiations are an ineffective means to end the decades-long conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. Khatami believes acts of intifada, or Palestinian resistance, have been the only signs of progress in establishing a Palestinian state.

Today is considered to be “International Quds Day,” an anti-Israeli rally that protests Israel’s presence in Palestinian lands, and supports the Palestinian people.

It is observed on the last Friday of Ramadan and was established by Ayatollah Khomeni to support the “oppressed” Palestinians and the destruction of Israel.

According to Iranian reports, many people marched in cities all across Iran, chanting phrases such as “Death to U.S.,” and “Death to Israel.” (copyright 1998-2012 Cybercast News Service 08/17/12)