Nadler Statement Condemning Ahmadinejad’s Remarks

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Jerrold Nadler rose on the House floor to condemn Iranian President Ahmadinejad’s remarks to an anti-Zionist conference.  Ahmadinejad told the crowd, among other hateful things, that Israel should be “wiped off the map.” 

Congressman Nadler spoke in support of H.Res. 523, a resolution condemning President Ahmadinejad’s words and intent.  Congressman Nadler’s remarks follow, as delivered.

“Mr. Speaker, the history of the 20th century aptly teaches us that when tyrants threaten genocide and mass murder, their words must be taken seriously because they have a tendency to do exactly what they said they would do.

When President Ahmadinejad of Iran threatened to destroy Israel, says Israel must be wiped off the map, he joined the fellow he defeated in the election, the former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani who said that Israel must be destroyed by nuclear weapons, and it does not matter.  One nuclear bomb will destroy Israel, and nuclear war will merely harm, not destroy, the Islamic world.

These men must be taken seriously.  The threats of genocide must not be permitted to be carried out.  Iran is the enemy of peace and the enemy of order and the enemy of mankind in its behavior and its proclaimed intentions.  Iran must not be permitted to have nuclear weapons.

It is a shame that this country got diverted into Iraq from focusing on the real threat to peace in the world, Iran , and we should focus on Iran and make sure they do not get nuclear weapons, and make sure they return to peaceful sanity.”

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