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Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad shaking hands with Columbia Dean of School of International Affairs John H. Coatsworth in New York on Monday. (Reuters)
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ANALYSIS: The clear loser from Ahmadinejad's visit is Israel
By Shmuel Rosner
In his speech at Columbia University, the Iranian President used the podium to single out Israel and Zionism.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's visit to Columbia University in New York on Monday resulted in one clear loser: Israel.

In his speech, Ahmadinejad took aim at Israel. If he managed to convince one person of his views on Israel and Zionism, then he has already gained. If he managed to persuade 50, then he has gained even more.

For months, Israel worked fervently to prevent what happened on the podium Monday. For the duration of his speech, Ahmadinejad produced a televised illusion: It is not Iran versus the world, but Iran versus Israel.
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If he manages to convince enough people of this, the mirage could become reality and Israel would be isolated, and that is exactly what Ahmadinejad is trying to accomplish.

The visiting Iranian even berated his listeners for condemning him before they had given him a chance to speak. He patiently explained that their behavior was impolite. He went on to offer a thorough explanation of his Holocaust denial. All he wanted was to promote research in the field, he said. How could an enlightened university that supports freedom of expression oppose that?

The protesters outside only served to reinforce his claims, as many were Jews wearing skullcaps who carried signs protesting his Holocaust denial and calls to wipe Israel off the map. To many, this serves as further proof that Iran is only a problem for Israel, or at most for the Jews.

Ahmadinejad aimed precisely for that. "It's the Israelis, stupid" was his primary message. Forget about the "Palestinian problem," Ahmadinejad was telling his listeners. "Instead, we need to solve the Israeli problem - and finally bring peace to the Middle East." While he did not explicitly reiterate his calls for Israel's destruction, in practice, the message could not have been clearer.

The pro-Israel camp consoled itself with the knowledge that those who are familiar with the regional complexities, and with Tehran's antics, will surely realize the absurdity of Ahmadinejad's proposal.

But the average American is not familiar with the regional complexities. He is tired of the region's fighting. To him, Ahmadinejad's idea may sound tempting
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  1.   i don`t agree 01:08  |  Edith 25/09/07
  2.   the loser 01:11  |  Shmuelshachor 25/09/07
  3.   Wrong. The man sounded like the imbecile he really is... 01:11  |  common sense 25/09/07
  4.   Shmuel, you are dead wrong 01:18  |  michael 25/09/07
  5.   You are definitly sick Mr Rosner 01:21  |  Afflalo 25/09/07
  6.   Lets hope ppl wont be that gullible or ignorant 01:37  |  Dakkar 25/09/07
  7.   Average American 01:43  |  Mike 25/09/07
  8.   You`re way off Rosner 01:53  |  Frack off 25/09/07
  9.   further info is needed, otherwise this article is useless 01:56  |  Scot 25/09/07
  10.   ACHMINDEAJEAD speaks 01:57  |  Zyskandar A Jaimot 25/09/07
  11.   Mr.A is quite right,all historical events should be constantly 02:04  |  lakshmi 25/09/07
  12.   Shmuel Rosner is 100% Wrong 02:06  |  Shepherd 25/09/07
  13.   The clear loser was Amadinhejad 02:16  |  Murray of Montreal 25/09/07
  14.   buffoon 02:23  |  David 25/09/07
  15.   Israel always the victim 02:27  |  Ted Duncan 25/09/07
  16.   IF ONLY THE ZION.LOSERS COULD MENTION "GOD GAVE US THIS LAND." 02:28  |  VOICE of MOSHIACH))) 25/09/07
  17.   THE LAND GIVEN TO ISRAEL WAY BEFORE HOLOCAUST. SQUATTERS OUT! 02:32  |  VOICE of MOSHIACH))) 25/09/07
  18.   HANNAH. You are suffering a lot because of your stupidly 02:32  |  e.m 25/09/07
  19.   Part 2.HANNAH.The Zionism?s that served to the humanity 02:35  |  e.m 25/09/07
  20.   Mmmm? Er... Rosner! Let`s Just Say Vote For McCain! 02:40  |  Yosemite 25/09/07
  21.   Ahmadinajad is Good..... 02:41  |  Dovy 25/09/07
  22.   Mr A`s circus good for Israel 02:42  |  StevieT 25/09/07
  23.   Misconstruing free speech 02:52  |  Nathaniel 25/09/07
  24.   Misconstruing free speech 02:52  |  Nathaniel 25/09/07
  25.   My Sympathies Go Out To The Israeli People 03:00  |  Yosemite 25/09/07
  26.   Rosner You are 100% Wrong 03:01  |  Jane 25/09/07
  27.   islam 03:01  |  g 25/09/07
  28.   Rosner`s oversimplification 03:07  |  Michael 25/09/07
  29.   Changing minds, winning hearts by Ahmadinejad 03:12  |  Ed 25/09/07
  30.   Ahmadinejad is a MORON 03:17  |  J. Johnson 25/09/07
  31.   I was for letting him talk 03:18  |  Ron 25/09/07
  32.   Clear Lose 03:24  |  Dan Kottler 25/09/07
  33.   Speech 03:25  |  Philippe 25/09/07
  34.   Nice try.... 03:27  |  David James Vickery 25/09/07
  35.   Elegant, intelligent Ahmadinejad meets up with brutes 03:33  |  Hannah 25/09/07
  36.   Abadabadinajabber 03:36  |  Fred Harwell 25/09/07
  37.   I WAS THERE 03:37  |  New Yorker 25/09/07
  38.   Ahmadinejad`s speech 03:38  |  Carl Genberg 25/09/07
  39.   IT IS More Iran Against Israel...Than Iran Against The World. 03:38  |  Proud Pal Defender 25/09/07
  40.   Ahmadinejad is the loser 03:41  |  Alan 25/09/07
  41.   Ahmadinejad`s visit 03:44  |  Roger 25/09/07
  42.   CORRECTION: IT IS More Iran Against Israel... 03:44  |  Proud Pal Defender 25/09/07
  43.   HANNAH. You are suffering a lot because of your stupidly 03:44  |  e.m 25/09/07
  44.   Part 2.HANNAH.The Zionism?s who served to humanity 03:45  |  e.m 25/09/07
  45.   Totally Disagree 03:47  |  SA 25/09/07
  46.   Persuade? 03:49  |  Mike 25/09/07
  47.   Give me a break - no one takes him seriously 03:51  |  Rick 25/09/07
  48.   The only loser here is Ahmadinejad! 04:00  |  Al 25/09/07
  49.   To g 04:01  |  Neil 25/09/07
  50.   Albert Einstein 04:02  |  Harold 25/09/07
  51.   VOICE OF MOSHIACH IS A TOTAL LOSER 04:03  |  VOICE OF MY NUTS 25/09/07
  52.   What Twaddle 04:04  |  Mark Lincoln 25/09/07
  53.   Israel`s/Jews` QUASHING OF MODERATE VOICES In The U.S. 04:04  |  Proud Pal Defender 25/09/07
  54.   Holocaust denial 04:13  |  Neil 25/09/07
  55.   I`ve read stupid articles but this one deserves the Nobel Prize. 04:19  |  Mr. Ami Goldman 25/09/07
  56.   What was up with Bollinger? 04:21  |  Harold 25/09/07
  57.   To e.m # 11 04:25  |  Neil 25/09/07
  58.   Most Americans Understand He Is Killing US Soldiers in Iraq 04:26  |  Yoram 25/09/07
  59.   Shmuel Rosner is simply a PARANOID JEW... its laughable 04:32  |  amir 25/09/07
  60.   Um Shmuel, did you see the same speech? 04:34  |  Jacob Blues 25/09/07
  61.   Wrong Yet Gain, Al Jaaretz 04:41  |  Erik 25/09/07
  62.   Leftist Muslim alliance will cause global atomic war 04:42  |  bernard ross 25/09/07
  63.   murray of montreal 04:42  |  j 25/09/07
  64.   AmadManinJihad is President of IRant 04:44  |  Keith 25/09/07
  65.   In Iran we do not have Homosexuals 04:45  |  Realist 25/09/07
  66.   One for America 04:51  |  Ron 25/09/07
  67.   don`t worry Israel, America is behind You ;- ) 04:54  |  David P 25/09/07
  68.   He Came Off As Insane Not Credible 05:08  |  Rashi 25/09/07
  69.   #58 j 05:11  |  * BEN JABO 25/09/07
  70.   55Jacob Blues&58 J,the reference to gays also,I believe, 05:13  |  lakshmi 25/09/07
  71.   Ahmadinejad is not denying the Holocaust 05:13  |  Harold 25/09/07
  72.   NOBODY REALLY CARES and that`s the problem 05:20  |  Arik Silverman 25/09/07
  73.   Don`t be such an Israeli pessimist 05:23  |  David 25/09/07
  74.   LOL 05:25  |  Danite 25/09/07
  75.   Killing American soldiers in Iraq 05:29  |  Harold 25/09/07
  76.   Holocaust Denial - Edward Said 05:32  |  john 25/09/07
  77.   16&17: Interested Bystander 05:39  |  Hannah 25/09/07
  78.   Bush Comparison 05:42  |  Marc 25/09/07
  79.   Why not answer Ahmadinejad`s points? 05:46  |  Jon 25/09/07
  80.   We are not his audience 05:47  |  Gordon 25/09/07
  81.   What is all this about? 05:51  |  Andre 25/09/07