Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., September 21, 2008 Elul 21, 5768 | | Israel Time: 01:23 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
  Back to Homepage
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File
Last update - 17:37 19/09/2008
Iran's Ayatollah says 'Illogical' for Iranians to call Israelis friends
By The Associated Press
Tags: Israel, Ayatollah Khameini 

Iran's supreme leader said Friday it was illogical to say Iranians are friends with the Israeli people, seeking to end a controversy over Tehran's stance toward the Jewish state - it's biggest enemy in the
region.

The controversy was sparked in mid-July when Vice President Esfandiar Rahim Mashai said Iranians were friends of all people in the world - even Israelis.
Advertisement
That raised anger from some hard-line lawmakers who said Israelis were not friends and Mashai's comments did not reflect government policy. They also lashed out at President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad over his decision not to dismiss the vice president, a close ally.

On Thursday, Ahmadinejad stood by Mashai again, saying Iran is not against Israelis, though he stopped short of calling them friends. We don't have a problem with people. But in no way do we recognize the Zionist regime, he said.

He depicted Jews who have immigrated to Israel as having been tricked by
Zionist propaganda and said Iranians are sympathetic to them.

We are opposed to the idea that people tricked into coming there should be thrown into the sea or be burned, he told reporters. We believe that all the original people of Palestine, Jews, Muslims and Christians, should hold a free referendum and choose their government. Then those who were brought in can decide whether to leave or stay under the government of Palestine.

He repeated his frequent predictions that Israel with its current regime would not survive.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who holds final word in all state
matters, weighed in for the first time on Friday, defending Ahmadinejad while also saying politicians should put the matter to rest. His support for Ahmadinejad suggested he backed the president's broader stance toward Israeli and Israelis but the word friends had gone too far.

That it is said we are friends of the Israeli people ... is incorrect and
illogical. The people of Israel are the same who are occupying houses,
territories and farms (of Palestinians), Khamenei said in his Friday prayer sermon. But he ordered an end to debates over the issue.

Somebody said it. It was a mistake ... the issue must be ended. That one
person says one thing and another says another creates tension. It should not be a means for tension. It's over, he said.

With the remarks, Ahmadinejad appears to be striking a nuanced stance that it does not seek to kill all Israelis but wants to end its Zionist regime. Ahmadinejad has been repeatedly condemned in the West for his comments predicting Israel's destruction, including that it would one day be wiped off the map.

Ahmadinejad heads to New York for the annual UN General Assembly meeting, which begins Monday. During past such visits, Ahmadinejad has come under fierce criticism and protests over his anti-Israeli rhetoric and Iran's controversial nuclear program.

On Friday, Khamenei also defended Ahmadinejad against heavy criticism from his opponents over his handling of the economy.

"A lot of new services have been made. It is incorrect to ignore all these (services) and stick to one point, Khamenei told worshippers at Tehran University."

It was the second time recently the supreme leader has expressed support for Ahmadinejad, who has been facing increasing criticism from both conservatives and reformists who accuse him of doing more harm than good in his three years in office.

Khamenei offered unusually glowing praise of Ahmadinejad last month for
standing up to the West in a dispute over the country's nuclear program and reviving the values of the 1979 Islamic revolution that transformed Iran into a strict theocracy.

Last month, Ali Akbar Nateq Nouri, a top conservative cleric close to
Khamenei, criticized Ahmadinejad's economic policies, saying they threaten to keep Iran from its goal of becoming a regional superpower by 2025.

Iran's former chief nuclear negotiator Hasan Rowhani also harshly rebuked
Ahmadinejad accusing him of missing out on golden opportunities to develop the Persian state. He singled out Iran's high inflation rate despite drawing huge oil revenues. Iran's Central Bank last week put the inflation rate at 27.6 percent - the highest figure released by authorities to date.

But it appeared Khamenei's calls to end the criticism of Ahmadinejad were
having some affect.

Iranian lawmakers had been collecting signatures over the past week to
question Ahmadinejad over Mashai's remarks. But immediately after Khamenei's speech, lawmaker Ali Motahari told the semi-official Mehr news agency that the parliament would no longer seek to question Ahmadinejad
Bookmark to del.icio.us  
 
'The Mossad dove'
Official Syrian state paper says Livni can have peace if she desires it.
Abbas the columnist
PA Chief: History will judge none of us kindly if we squander chance for peace.
  1.   So He Thinks Israel Can Jump Back To 1948 18:28  |  Yosemite 19/09/08
  2.   Mr. Ahmadinejad, stay on message, please..... 19:02  |  Swiss (Dino) 19/09/08
  3.   Don`t fall in the persian trap 19:13  |  Septimus 19/09/08
  4.   Who`s the fool? 19:30  |  Yoni 19/09/08
  5.   #1 Response 19:58  |  Ramzi 19/09/08
  6.   It`s hard to call Iran`s Ayatollahs human beings! 19:59  |  DR 19/09/08
  7.   Who wants to be the friend of this sick man? 20:23  |  Yuri 19/09/08
  8.   This warmongering Ayatollah does NOT speak for the people of Iran 20:40  |  Realist 19/09/08
  9.   At least one writer is "Trying" to correct Wests` Media Mistake 21:19  |  ID 19/09/08
  10.   Stupid Stupid Mullah Khamenei 21:28  |  Persian Kitty 19/09/08
  11.   The ayatola runs the show. Ahmadinejad is his puppet. 21:45  |  MIKE 19/09/08
  12.   So He Thinks Israel Can Jump Back To 1948 22:03  |  Veritas 19/09/08
  13.   ahmadinejad needs to learn his history 22:23  |  javeed 19/09/08
  14.   Veritas 22:45  |  David 19/09/08
  15.   Actually Veritas #12, 00:08  |  Ben 20/09/08
  16.   Why do these guys get so much press 00:08  |  Dave Duncan 20/09/08
  17.   Swiss, it`s not his only problem 00:21  |  Alan 20/09/08
  18.   Swiss donkey, stay on message 00:28  |  peter 20/09/08
  19.   Standing up against hard-line conservatives 00:44  |  Pablo B 20/09/08
  20.   To ID - Regime change? You mean population transfer/extermination 02:07  |  Jordan 20/09/08
  21.   Veritas in FL 02:15  |  rich 20/09/08
  22.   To Jordan from Montreal 02:28  |  Persian Kitty 20/09/08
  23.   I bet thats a jammed signal.. 04:48  |  Paul 20/09/08
  24.   Through the looking-glass 05:16  |  m 20/09/08
  25.   Veritas 05:33  |  Yosemite 20/09/08
  26.   18 Leave my man swiss alone 06:49  |  alan the real one 20/09/08
  27.   Swiss Dino 07:20  |  Daniela 20/09/08
  28.   I don`t think Iran has even one friend. 10:04  |  TIM 20/09/08
  29.   Quite right 10:26  |  Clickfool 20/09/08
  30.   # 26 alan, thanks very much, but actually I have to come..... 10:51  |  Swiss (Dino) 20/09/08
  31.   # 17 Alan / # 27 Daniela 11:01  |  Swiss (Dino) 20/09/08
  32.   Swiss Dino & anti semitism 14:31  |  JR 20/09/08
  33.   alan on the swiss donkey 16:15  |  peter 20/09/08
  34.   Swiss # 2 (2nd try) 18:14  |  ChanahS 20/09/08
  35.   # 32 JR, I hate to admit it...... 18:17  |  Swiss (Dino) 20/09/08
  36.   # 28, TIM 18:27  |  indrajaya 20/09/08
  37.   # 32 JR, just to avoid any misunderstandings..... 18:32  |  Swiss (Dino) 20/09/08
  38.   rich #21 18:34  |  Veritas 20/09/08
  39.   # 33 You know what`s funny, peterchen..... 19:35  |  Swiss (Dino) 20/09/08
  40.   Swiss (Dino), allow me to offer my two cents 20:11  |  ManintheMiddle 20/09/08
  41.   Swiss (Dino), More about Ahmadinejad. 20:31  |  ManintheMiddle 20/09/08
  42.   Swiss (Dino) and anyone who is interested. 21:08  |  ManintheMiddle 20/09/08
  43.   swiss donkey the only thing that`s funny 22:20  |  peter 20/09/08
  44.   # 34 Chanah S 22:30  |  Swiss (Dino) 20/09/08
  45.   # 40/#41#42 ManintheMiddle 22:40  |  Swiss (Dino) 20/09/08
  46.   #45. Jews must be secure wherever they are. 23:25  |  ManintheMiddle 20/09/08
  47.   # 43 peterchen, let`s see what ManintheMiddle..... 23:45  |  Swiss (Dino) 20/09/08
  48.   When ayatollahs speak about logic, it`s entertainment not news 00:46  |  Dan 21/09/08
 Read & React
Sarah Palin dumped from Jewish rally against Iran in New York
Responses: 302
Benjamin Weinthal: Ani-Zionist Jews widen pool of Israel's enemies
Responses: 206
Abbas: Failure to reach peace will 'change parameters of debate'
Responses: 92
Hamas accuses Israel of back-pedaling in Shalit negotiations
Responses: 89
Yossi Sarid: Economic crisis forces us to rethink 'American dream'
Responses: 64


More Headlines
00:54 PA chief of staff: We must be ready to use force against Hamas
23:49 Diplomats: No evidence Syria site bombed by IAF was nuclear reactor
22:29 Syria state-run paper: If Livni wants peace, she will achieve it
00:57 At least 40 killed in massive truck bombing in Pakistan
00:04 Barak, Netanyahu discuss 'recent political turn of events'
20:27 Jenin: From terror capital to model of peace
22:22 Tony Blair's sister-in-law leaves Gaza after being stranded in Strip for nearly a month
22:30 VIDEO / IDF thwarts terror attack near Yitzhar settlement
15:57 Abbas: Failure to reach peace will 'change parameters of debate'
18:26 Hamas says favors national unity government with Fatah
16:43 Pen Ultimate / For war press one, for peace process, two
18:24 Obama campaign cries foul after Republicans block Iran divestment bill
01:31 Sarah Palin blames 'Democrat partisans' for withdrawn invitation to anti-Iran rally
12:30 Jewish World / How we came to feed Tel Aviv's African refugees
Previous Editions
Special Offers
Advertisement
Fattal Hotel Chain
Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel.
US CITIZENS
Vote for real change. Request your ballot today!
Eldan Rent a Car
Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations
Jewish Singles Personal Ads
Find the love of your life on JDate.com
Israel's Premier Real Estate Website
www. israel-property.com
Hebrew Summer courses
From $39.95
ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel
Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th
Junkyard
Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |
Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel
birthright Israel | Search engine marketing
Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved