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Iranian president says Israel should be moved to Europe | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Leaders of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) walk down from the Kaaba at Masjidil Haram after a meeting in Mecca December 8, 2005 (REUTERS)


Leaders of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) walk down from the Kaaba at Masjidil Haram after a meeting in Mecca December 8, 2005 (REUTERS)

Leaders of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) walk down from the Kaaba at Masjidil Haram after a meeting in Mecca December 8, 2005 (REUTERS)

MECCA, Saudi Arabia (AP) – Iran”s hard-liner president, who has called for Israel”s destruction, said Thursday that the Jewish state should be moved to Europe if the West wants to make up for the Holocaust.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad made the comments at a press conference of an Islamic summit convened in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, implying European countries backed the founding of Israel in the Middle East in 1948 out of guilt over the Nazi Holocaust.

&#34Some European countries insist on saying that during World War II, Hitler burnt millions of Jews and put them in concentration camps,&#34 Ahmadinejad said. &#34Any historian, commentator or scientist who doubts that is taken to prison or gets condemned.&#34

&#34Let”s give some land to the Zionists in Europe or in Germany or Austria, so they can have their government there,&#34 he said. &#34They faced injustice in Europe, so why do the repercussions fall on the Palestinians? Offer a piece of land from Europe, and we will back this decision and will not attack this government.&#34

&#34Those who are occupying and ruling Jerusalem, what is the origin of their fathers? … Most of them have no roots in Palestine, but they are holding the destiny of Palestine in their hands and allow themselves to kill the Palestinian people,&#34 he said.

Ahmadinejad drew sharp international criticism, and even some at home in Iran, when he said in October that Israel is a &#34disgraceful blot&#34 that should be &#34wiped off the map.&#34 Still, Ahmadinejad, who was elected in June with the backing of Iran”s hard-line clerical rulers, stuck by the comments, and his government organized a series of large anti-Israel demonstrations.

Iranian President Mahmood Ahmadinejad looks on during the closing session of the Islamic Summit in Mecca, 8 December 2005 (EPA)

Iranian President Mahmood Ahmadinejad looks on during the closing session of the Islamic Summit in Mecca, 8 December 2005 (EPA)

Saudi Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz waves to photographers prior to the closing session of the Islamic Summit in Mecca, 8 December 2005 (EPA)

Saudi Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz waves to photographers prior to the closing session of the Islamic Summit in Mecca, 8 December 2005 (EPA)

Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz (L) welcomes Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Mecca, 8 December 2005, after the closing of the Islamic Summit in the Saudi holy city, Mecca (EPA)

Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz (L) welcomes Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Mecca, 8 December 2005, after the closing of the Islamic Summit in the Saudi holy city, Mecca (EPA)