| President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran has once again threatened to wipe Israel off the map, in the event that hostilities break out between Hizbullah and the Jewish state this summer. He made the comments at a speaking engagement in Isfahan today, which were broadcast live on national state television. Quote: ""If you think that by bombing and assassinating Palestinian leaders you are preparing ground for new attacks on Lebanon in the summer, I am telling you that you are seriously wrong," Ahmadinejad told a crowd in the city of Isfahan. "If this year you repeat the same mistake of the last year, the ocean of nations of the region will get angry and will cut root of the Zionist regime from its stem," added Ahmadinejad, speaking live on state television. Referring to the history of Israel, Ahmadinejad said that "60 years of invasion and assassination is enough. If you do not cease invasion and massacre, soon the hand of power of the nations of the region will rub you criminals with earth." President Ahmadinejad had previously stated that Israel should be "wiped off the map" during the World Without Zionism conference held in October 2005. His comments drew international condemnation from world leaders. Today's remarks came as the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian terrorist organizations in Gaza reached a new climax, with Israel making over 30 arrests in an effort to end the rocket attacks which have so far claimed one life and wounded dozens of people within the last few weeks. President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority once again called for an end to the rocket attacks, but with Hamas having recently declared an end to their cease-fire with Israel, his words are more or less meaningless. Javier Solana, the High Representative for the European Common, Foreign and Security Policy, met with the beleaguered leader in an effort to end the crisis. Quote: "EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, visiting Mr Abbas in Gaza, also called on both sides to halt the violence. Mr Abbas said he was working with Palestinian factions to stop the firing of Qassam rockets on Israel. He also said he was working for a "mutual truce" in the Gaza Strip that could be extended to the West Bank. Israel and the European Union have also agreed to extend the Rafah border monitoring agreement for another year. So it seems events are panning out just like the Bible states. Iran and Russia are gearing up for an invasion of Israel and the European Union is increasing its efforts to find a peaceful solution to the crisis. Source YNet News, BBC, Jerusalem Post | |
