AJC: Vice Premier's Speech Exposes Iran Regime's Vile Anti-Semitism

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Jun 27, 2012, 01:35 ET

NEW YORK, June 27, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A vile anti-Semitic speech by Iran's vice premier "is a startling reminder of the odious nature of this dangerous regime," said AJC Executive Director David Harris. "This Iranian government consistently has projected its hatred of Jews, threatened Israel's destruction, while aggressively pursuing nuclear-weapons capability."

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Addressing the UN international drug conference in Tehran, Vice Premier Mohammad-Reza Rahimi charged that the Talmud teaches Jews they are a superior race. "They think God has created the world so that all other nations can serve them," said Rahimi, adding that the Talmud teaches to "destroy everyone who opposes the Jews."

Speaking on the theme of the UN conference, Rahimi also said "Zionists" are "the main elements of the international drugs trade."

While some European diplomats attending the conference reportedly were shocked by the Iranian leader's remarks, none of them walked out of the meeting.

AJC criticized the UN for agreeing to hold the conference in Tehran and Western diplomats for attending.

"The contrast between UN Security Council sanctions on Iran, and co-hosting with Tehran an international conference, undermines the goal of exerting maximum pressure on this recalcitrant regime," said Harris. "Just days after the failed P5+1 talks in Moscow, and while the centrifuges are spinning in Iran, it is outrageous that the UN provided another platform for an Iranian leader to spew his regime's anti-Semitic hatred."

SOURCE American Jewish Committee