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Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
 (AP)
Last update - 18:56 26/04/2009
Ahmadinejad: Obama support of 'Gaza massacre' was big mistake
By Haaretz Service
Tags: israel news, iran 

In a rare interview with American television, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad criticized U.S. President Barack Obama for his "support of the massacre of Gazans" during Israel's offensive on the Hamas-ruled coastal territory earlier this year.

"The gentleman's [Obama] support of the massacre of Gazans in support for the criminals who were responsible for that atrocity was a major mistake on the part of the gentleman," Ahmadinejad told ABC reporter George Stephanopoulous during an interview aired Sunday on 'This Week'.

"I think that if Mr. Obama wants to help with the Palestinian issue, he has to move in accordance with justice, fair play and also, again, I am calling for the right for the Palestinians to determine their own fate," said the Iranian leader.
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Ahmadinejad also used the interview to defend again his speech at the United Nations anti-racism conference last week, in which he called Israel a "racist" state, and to slam the American leader for boycotting the summit.

"When I was talking against the Zionist regime in the racism conference, the first proviso for successful talks would be to give the other party the freedom to speak," said the Iranian leader.

"Mr. Obama has the right to have his own opinion, obviously. He is ready to express his points of view. But the Geneva conference had been organized to combat racism, to oppose racism," said Ahmadinejad.

"My point of view is that the Zionist regime is the manifestation of racism."

When asked whether Iran would support a two-state solution should such a settlement be reached by Israel and the Palestinians, Ahmadinejad said: "Nobody should interfere, allow the Palestinian people to decide for themselves. Whatever they decide."

A vocal denier of the Holocaust, Ahmadinejad also told ABC that he still had two questions regarding the historical accuracy of the Nazis' delieberate murder of six million Jews during World War II. "if the Holocaust happened," Ahmadinejad said, then Palestinians should not be held to pay the price.

"My first question was, if the Holocaust happened, where did it take place? In Europe. Why should they make amends in Palestine?" he said, adding: "The Palestinian people had no role to play in the Holocaust. They had no role, for that matter, in the Second World War. Racism happened in Europe, the amends are made in Palestine?"

The Iranian leader also said that more questions and research must be done to prove that the event actually occurred.

"My second question about the Holocaust, if this is indeed a historical event, why do they want to turn it into a holy thing? And nobody should be allowed to ask any questions about that? Nobody study it, research it, permit it to research it. Why?"

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      1.   Suggestions for research topics for Ahmedinejad... 17:30  |  Israeli observer 26/04/09
      2.   very logical 17:46  |  raf 26/04/09
      3.   Study Holocaust 18:29  |  Ben 26/04/09
      4.   President Obama did not support the Gaza `operation.` 18:31  |  Lou Medel 26/04/09
      5.   "in accordance with justice"... 18:53  |  scallywag 26/04/09
      6.   raf 18:57  |  scallywag 26/04/09
      7.   A Jew Hater, Period 19:00  |  Ron 26/04/09
      8.   #2 RAF In France,Gen. Dwight Eisenhour Liberator of France said: 19:33  |  Israeli Observer 26/04/09
      9.   Ahmadinejad: Obama support of `Gaza massacre` was big mistake 20:05  |  John Q. Public 26/04/09
      10.   Ben in Canada 20:46  |  David 26/04/09
      11.   SOMEDY tell Ahmadinjad about Balfour long before Holocaust 20:48  |  PETER SM 26/04/09
      12.   AHMADINEJAD supported thousand of Qassams now he whinges 21:02  |  PETER SM 26/04/09
      13.   ABC Interview 21:02  |  Deacon2 26/04/09
      14.   # 10 Deacon2...so, what has the Iranian regime promised 21:31  |  Lynn 26/04/09
      15.   Medel and gaza operation 22:12  |  Arie 26/04/09
      16.   Lynn 22:57  |  Deacon2 26/04/09
      17.   Iran wants Jerusalem for the Shia 23:02  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 26/04/09
      18.   Ahmrdinejad 23:14  |  Green Baron 26/04/09
      19.   no massacre just a legitimate response 00:11  |  real vision 27/04/09
      20.   Lynn 01:07  |  jennifer 27/04/09
      21.   # 16 Deacon2....there were no Pals until Arafat 01:08  |  Lynn 27/04/09
      22.   Raf - let me explain what your seem to be missing 01:45  |  Eldad 27/04/09
      23.   denial 01:59  |  ehud 27/04/09
      24.   if only these accusations came from a respected man... 03:14  |  mariel 27/04/09
      25.   Raf #2 03:19  |  Philippe 27/04/09
      26.   Why Doesnt Someone Tell This Idiot 03:30  |  Angela 27/04/09
      27.   Lynn is Correct 03:39  |  Angela 27/04/09
      28.   Jennifer 03:51  |  Jasper 27/04/09
      29.   Lynn 04:09  |  Deacon2 27/04/09
      30.   Deacon2 #16 04:12  |  EZ 27/04/09
      31.   Lynn, why blither like an idiot in the face of reality? 04:26  |  BBSNews 27/04/09
      32.   Ahmadinejad 04:52  |  Iranian 27/04/09
      33.   Racism 11:16  |  Timoteo uelese 27/04/09
      34.   answer just 16:17  |  mary 27/04/09
      35.   To Mary #34,Yes I`m here 21:35  |  Irani 27/04/09
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