Iran's Vice-President: "Israel-the most hated word in the world"

Iran's VP clarifies his comments

Thu, 14 Aug 2008

Press TV-Iran's Vice President Esfandiar Rahim-Mashaei has clarified his recent controversial remarks about Israel. In a letter to Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel, the head of Majlis Cultural Commission on Wednesday, Mashaei explained his intention behind his recent remarks on "the friendship between Iranians and the Israeli nation."

"Using the name of Israel was only meant to show that the friendship message of the Iranian nation to the people of the world is very inclusive," he said in his letter.

"It is obvious that this word (Israel) is the most hated word, not only from Iran's political perspective but also across the world," IRNA quoted Mashaei as saying in his letter.

"This word is reminder of racism, inhumanity and violence and I also believe that there will be no place for this word in Iran's culture," he added. On Wednesday a majority of Iranian parliamentarians in a statement urged President Ahmadinejad to punish his deputy for his recent remarks on Israel. Mashaei had earlier declared that his comments were misinterpreted.

IRNA's article: VP answers MPs' question on nation's amicable status with Israeli nation