Iran has faced international backlash for likening Israel to a “cancerous tumour”, with the leaders attacking the country’s President, Hassan Rouhani, for making anti-Semitic remarks.
Mr Rouhani, on Saturday, called Israel a “cancerous tumour” in the Middle East and has received bitter condemnation for his comments. The Iranian President said: “One of the ominous results of World War Two was the formation of a cancerous tumour in the region.” His comments have been quickly attacked by the international community.
A spokesman for the EU said: “President Rouhani’s remarks bringing into question Israel’s legitimacy are totally unacceptable.
“They are also incompatible with the need to address international disputes through dialogue and international law.
“The European Union reiterates its fundamental commitment to the security of Israel, including with regard to current and emerging threats in the region.”
Austria Chancellor Sebastian Kurz called Mr Rouhani’s remarks anti-Semitic in a tweet.
He said: “I strongly condemn the recent unacceptable statements by President Rouhani relating to Israel.
“It is absolutely unacceptable when Israel’s right to exist is questioned or Israel’s destruction is being urged.
“Because of our historical responsibility, the decisive combat against all forms of anti-Semitism and the support for Israel are especially important to us.
“For Austria, Israel’s security is non-negotiable.”
In his speech, President Rouhani called on regional rival Saudi Arabia to join them and other Muslim majority nations in their fight against Israel.
He referred to the Saudis as “brothers” and said that a friendship with Tehran would not require a “$450billion arms deal”, a reference to an arms deal between the US and the Kingdom.
According to the Israeli newspaper the Times of Israel, Mr Rouhani’s rhetoric in his speech is similar to that of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has consistently referred to Israel as a “cancer” that needs to be removed.
The Supreme Leader has also called Israel “barbaric”, “infanticidal and the “sinister, unclean rabid dog of the region”.
Israel sees the Shia Muslim country as its main threat to its existence.
In an effort to try and better combat the threat, Tel Aviv started to try to normalise its relationship with Sunni Arab majority national like Jordan, Oman and Saudi Arabia.
Source » express