Iran: Move Israel to Alaska
President Ahmadinejad suggests new relocation options, including Canada, U.S.
Despite the Iranian leader’s new-found generosity in proposing a new list of relocation options, Ahmadinajed displayed some geographical ignorance this time around, demonstrating that he is apparently unaware Alaska is part of the U.S.
Speaking to Iranian television, Ahmadinejad also chose to again deny the Holocaust, calling the genocide of six million Jews by the Nazis "the myth of the massacre of the Jews."
"If someone in their countries blames God, nothing is said to him, but if one criticizes the myth of the massacre of the Jews, the loudspeakers (of the) Zionists and the governments become vociferous," the Iranian president said.
"Our proposal is: Give a piece of your ground in Europe, in the United States, in Canada or in Alaska so that they can create their state," he added.
Last week, speaking at an Islamic conference in Mecca, Ahmadinejad said: "Some European countries insist on saying that Hitler killed millions of innocent Jews in furnaces and they insist on it to the extent that if anyone proves something contrary to that they condemn that person and throw them in jail."
"Although we don't accept this claim, if we suppose it is true, our question for the Europeans is: Is the killing of innocent Jewish people by Hitler the reason for their support to the occupiers of Jerusalem? If the Europeans are honest they should give some of their provinces in Europe - like in Germany, Austria or other countries - to the Zionists and the Zionists can establish their state in Europe. You offer part of Europe and we will support it," he said.
‘We've been here long before his ancestors’
White House spokesman Scott McClellan said in response: "It just further underscores our concerns about the regime in Iran and its all the more reason why it's so important that the regime not have the ability to develop nuclear weapons."
Raanan Gissin, a spokesman for Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, said in Tel Aviv Ahmadinejad was voicing "the consensus that exists in many circles in the Arab world that the Jewish people ... do not have the right to establish a Jewish, democratic state in their ancestral homeland".
"Just to remind Mr. Ahmadinejad, we've been here long before his ancestors," Gissin said.
"Therefore, we have a birthright to be here in the land of our forefathers and to live here. Thank God we have the capability to deter and to prevent such a statement from becoming a reality."
Earlier in the week, the London Sunday Times published an article claiming that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has ordered the Air Force to prepare for a strike on Iran's nuclear facilities in March 2006. The report was denied by the Prime Minister's Office.
On Tuesday, Chief of Staff Dan Halutz told the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Security Committee that Iran would reach a nuclear point of no return by March 2006.
