http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/10/26/ahmadinejad/index.html Israel 'must be wiped from map' Thursday, October 27, 2005; Posted: 12:10 a.m. EDT (04:10 GMT) Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. TEHRAN, Iran (CNN) -- Iran's new president has repeated a remark from a former ayatollah that Israel should be "wiped out from the map," insisting that a new series of attacks will destroy the Jewish state, and lashing out at Muslim countries and leaders that acknowledge Israel. The remarks by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad -- reported by Islamic Republic News Agency -- coincide with a month-long protest against Israel called "World without Zionism" and with the approach of Jerusalem Day. World without Zionism is a nationwide event the planners intend to hold annually, and Ahmadinejad made the remarks during a meeting with protesting students at the Interior Ministry. Ahmadinejad quoted a remark from Iran's Ayatollah Khomeini, the founder of Iran's Islamic revolution, who said that Israel "must be wiped out from the map of the world." The president then said: "And God willing, with the force of God behind it, we shall soon experience a world without the United States and Zionism," according to a quote published by IRNA. The Jewish state has diplomatic relations with major Muslim countries such as Egypt, Jordan and Turkey, and the Gaza disengagement has improved ties between Israel and some other Muslim nations and leaders. But Ahmadinejad said the "new wave of confrontations generated in Palestine and the growing turmoil in the Islamic world would in no time wipe Israel away," according to paraphrased statements in the IRNA report. He also described Israel's disengagement from Gaza as a "trick" meant to make "Islamic states acknowledge the Zionist regime of Israel," according to the report. The United States and Israel are sowing "discord among warring forces in Palestine and other parts of the Islamic world," the report paraphrased Ahmadinejad as saying. In the process, such attempts were forcing Muslim nations to normalize relations with Israel, he said. Ahmadinejad is quoted as saying, "Anybody who recognizes Israel will burn in the fire of the Islamic nation's fury." Ahmadinejad's comments prompted the French foreign minister to summon the Iranian ambassador to Paris for an explanation. France is one of the European countries that has been involved in negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program. French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said he learned about Ahmadinejad's comments from news reports that indicate the Iranian president called for Israel's destruction and said the conflict in the Middle East would result in a fight between Jews and Muslims. "If these comments are correct, they are unacceptable. I greatly condemn them and have asked for the Iranian ambassador in Paris to be summoned to the Foreign Ministry to demand explanations," Douste-Blazy said. "For France, the right for Israel to exist should not be contested. This state was created by a decision of the U.N. General Assembly. International law applies to all. The question of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict cannot be used as a pretext to put into question the fundamental right for Israel to exist." One top Iranian religious leader, Ayatollah Nori Hamadani, said in a written statement it is incumbent upon Muslims to wrest Palestine from the Israelis. He urged Iranians to protest on Friday -- which is Jerusalem Day, commemorated by Iranians to honor Jerusalem, where Israel has established its capital, and renew their support for an establishment of a Palestinian state.
Yeah, exactly. This guy sounds like a piece of work...Ahmadinejad is quoted as saying, "Anybody who recognizes Israel will burn in the fire of the Islamic nation's fury."
Pffft, he's showing off, it's mere rhetoric, I wouldn't worry about it (they have been saying that for decades, along with many Arab nations who later on came to realize the new reality and learn to live with it, even if they don't like it). Don't worry guys, Israel is by far the most powerful military in that region, the sole nuclear power, and the mighty US army is in the neighborhood and is building the largest base in the region ON Israeli soil. Iran is not a threat to Israel, this seems to be more of a 'flexing of the muscles' on Iran's part to deter the Israelis from a possible attack on their nuclear installations.
It wouldnt be a bad idea to wipe off Israel off the map. This would mean that both Palestinian and Jews would be done with. Then decade after decade of their conflict would be erased. Hmm, maybe he's onto something.
What a PURE MORON!! I just hate when idiots like this spew their rhetoric crap 4 inflamatory purposes!
It is bragging and macho posturing. Just like Dubya acting like he is John Wayne, walking like his balls are too big or he is bow legged from an occasional 15 minute horse ride on his dude ranch. Hey let's invade Iran. As the neocons around Bush have said: "Real men invade Iran" (with other people's children, of course). You know, the neocons who are so moral (unlike relaists) , since they claim to be so.
Well lil t, Isn't it great that our invasion of Iraq has resulted in a government that is tightly allied with Iran and has given that country, and men like the one you quoted, much more influence in the region. That outcome is certainly worth the lives of 2000 US soldiers and tens of billions, if not hundreds of billions of dollars.
Let's see... Use inflammatory religious rhetoric when speaking about another culture...check Threaten war against people of a different religious belief regularly...check Fan nationalistic flames in an attempt to convince the citizenry of the need to confront another country...check The biggest difference is that Iran has not invaded another country based on exaggerated "intelligence."
Let's see here... glynch dismisses the guy in an effort to take yet another shot at Bush andymoon comes out and says that Bush is worse than this guy little wonder that you guys don't win any elections. You simply are out of touch with reality and are blinded by your hatred.
and bigtexxx doesn't refute any of the points anyone has made, or even touch on the actual points themselves.