_a.jpg "Photo: Yaron Brenner")
Shalom: Iran would destroy Israel
Video: In exclusive interview with Ynet, Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom says, ‘Latest statements made by Iranian president regarding the relocation of Israel to Europe, Canada, U.S. or Alaska prove how extreme the regime is; he is stating very clearly what Iran will do with a nuclear bomb.’ Adds that a nuclear Iran ‘would be a nightmare for everyone, not just for Israel’
Speaking in response to recent statements made by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who once again denied the Holocaust and said Israel should be moved to ‘Europe, Canada, the United States, or Alaska,’ Shalom said, “This president is saying very clearly what the Iranians will do if they have a nuclear bomb – they would like to destroy the State of Israel.”
'Nuclear Iran - a nightmare for everyone.' Shalom. (Video: Micha Doman)
“Israel can’t live with the idea that they (Iran) will hold a nuclear bomb,” the foreign minister added.
When asked on his solution to the Iranian threat, Shalom said the matter must be referred to the U.N. Security Council and dealt with on the international level.
“The time has come for the Europeans to put an end to the Iranians’ efforts to develop a nuclear bomb,” he said.
“If the Iranians will have a nuclear bomb, it will be a nightmare for everyone, not only for Israel."
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."
'We have a birthright to be here'
"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.
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."
