Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad declared on Iranian television on Wednesday that the Holocaust was a myth, saying that Jews had fabricated the story of the Nazi extermination of six million Jews in World War II.
"They have fabricated a legend under the name 'Massacre of the Jews', and they hold it higher than God himself, religion itself and the prophets themselves," he said, speaking in the Iranian town of Zahedan.
Last week Ahmadinejad drew international criticism when he said that the Holocaust was a legend. As a result of his comments, the UN Security Council rebuked his comments.
Ahmadinejad, who was elected president in June, also referred to the State of Israel as a "cancerous tumor" that needed to be removed.
Ahmadinejad suggested that Israel be relocated recently, saying, "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."
"If somebody in their country questions God, nobody says anything, but if somebody denies the myth of the massacre of Jew, the Zionist loudspeakers and the governments in the pay of Zionism will start to scream," he said.
He added, "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.
Diplomats in Europe have expressed that such comments make it harder for them to negotiate with Iran over the country's controversial nuclear program.
The comments also spurred US concerns that Iran's nuclear capabilities were worrisome.
"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," said White House spokesman Scott McClellan.
© 2005 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
