(Washington) Israel on Friday demanded the United Nations takes swift action against Iran following comments by the Iranian President who expressed doubt the Holocaust ever happened and suggested Israel be moved to Europe.
Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Gillerman dispatched a letter to the Secretary General Kofi Annan saying activities undertaken by the Islamic theocracy that contradict the U.N. charter range from “denying the Holocaust, continual support for terror, nuclear activities, harsh incitement and confrontation with another member state of the United Nations.”
On Thursday president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad drew international condemnations as he suggested European countries like Germany and Austria cede some of their territory to the Jews who have no claim to Jerusalem.
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| Iran: Israel should be moved to Europe / Yitzhak Benhorin |
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Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who recently called for Israel to be 'wiped off map,' expresses doubt that Holocaust occurs, says Europeans should give Zionists some of their provinces in Europe; PM's spokesman: Just to remind Mr. Ahmadinejad, we've been here long before his ancestors |
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In his letter Gillerman wrote that Iran is a signatory of a November 1 U.N. resolution designating January 27 as International Holocaust Day in commemoration of the six million Jews who died in the Holocaust.
“Members of the Council condemn these comments on Israel and the denial of the Holocaust. Members of the Security Council approved Israel’s rights and obligations as a full member of the United Nations,” read said ambassador Emyr Jones Parry of Britain, the current holder of the rotating Council presidency.
The German Foreign Ministry said it had summoned Iran's ambassador to protest against Ahmadinejad’s comments.
Ministry spokesman Martin Jaeger said at a government news conference the decision to deliver a formal protest to Iran's envoy in Berlin was meant to show that Berlin was taking the president's comments very seriously.
Russia also condemned Ahmadinejad’s comments in statement issued by the Foreign Ministry which read: “It is difficult to comment on such unacceptable remarks. There are well known historical facts concerning World War Two, including the Holocaust. These facts cannot be revised and this should be understood by everyone.”
Reuters contributed to this report
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