Ahmadinejad stands by remark on Israel

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad takes part in a demonstration to mark Jerusalem Day in Tehran yesterday. Ahmadinejad yesterday dismissed widespread international condemnation of his call for Israel to be "wiped off the map", saying his remark was "right and just". PHOTO: AFP

"They are free to talk but their words do not have any validity. It is natural that if a word is right and just it will provoke a reaction," Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying by the official news agency IRNA.

The hardline president went on to criticise "international Zionism and the expansionist policies of the world arrogance" -- terminology usually used to refer to the United States and Israel.

"They are cheeky humans, and they think that the entire world should obey them. They destroy Palestinian families and expect nobody to object to them," Ahmadinejad said, asserting his comments "are the exact words of the Iranian people."

He was speaking as Iran staged its annual anti-Israeli hate fest and amid an international outcry over a speech he gave on Wednesday to a conference entitled "The World without Zionism".

Tens of thousands of regime loyalists took to the streets of Tehran for "Jerusalem Day" -- a carnival-style event heavy on bloodthirsty slogans, flag burning and a chance for would-be militants to register for suicide bombing missions.

The Palestinian fight against Israel is one of the central dogma of the Islamic regime in Iran, but Ahmadinejad's fiery speech was the first time in years that such a high-ranking official has openly demanded Israel's destruction.

His comments have been hugely damaging for Iran, already under intense Western pressure over its nuclear energy programme -- suspected as being a cover for weapons development -- and facing the prospect of seeing the issue referred to the UN Security Council.

But Iran, which insists its nuclear intentions are peaceful, remains unapologetic -- and banners saying "Israel must be wiped off the map" were also seen outside Tehran University.

Other slogans used included "Peaceful nuclear energy is our legitimate right" and "The only way to combat the Zionist enemy is resistance and Jihad".

"What Ahmadinejad said is the sentiment of all Iranians," asserted Amir Hosseini, a 45-year-old Revolutionary Guards officer taking part in the rally.

But he asserted there was "no need for military action" against Israel: "What Ahmadinejad said was that elections should be held for Palestinian self-determination."

One Shiite clergyman taking part, Mehdi Abu Talebi, told AFP that the real issue was that of "the genocide of the Palestinians" -- adding that he was also sure that the holocaust under Germany's Nazi regime never even happened.