The comments by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad reflected his typical
anti-Israeli rhetoric, which has drawn international condemnation since he
first said in 2005 that Israel should be "wiped off the map." Ahmadinejad
spoke at a Tehran ceremony following nationwide pro-Palestinian rallies marking
Quds Day. Quds is the Arabic word for Jerusalem. The annual demonstration is an
occasion for Iranian officials to show off their support for Palestinians and
condemn archenemy Israel.
The remarks come as the Palestinians are pushing this year
to achieve recognition at the United Nations during the General Assembly
meeting in September. The statehood bid comes amid stalled Israeli-Palestinian
peace negotiations and although the UN vote in New York will be largely
symbolic, the Palestinians believe it will send a powerful message to Israel.
"Do not assume you will be boosted with a (UN)
recognition of a Palestinian state," Ahmadinejad said, addressing Israel.
"There is no room for you in the region." "Recognition of a
Palestinian state is the first step in the liberation of the entire
Palestine," he added.
Ahmadinejad also urged the West to stop supporting Israel.
"You (the West) and the Zionist regime will have no
base in the Middle East," he warned, and dismissed the West's support for
a two-state solution as a tactic meant "to save" Israel.
Reiterating his anti-Holocaust rhetoric, Ahmadinejad also
said Israel was created on lies and added, "the Zionist regime is the axis
of unity among all thieves and criminals of the world."
He also called on rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas
to form as strong, unified state and not "consider it sufficient to have
minor and weak governments in a small area."
