JP/6/EDITORIAL
Iran vs. common sense
Some things are just better left unsaid, no matter how much we may think it.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is learning this lesson the hard way.
Talk about putting Iran's foot where Ahmadinejad's mouth is: His comments suggesting that Israel be "wiped off the map" is stirring international ire, and it is directed at Tehran. Tragically, it is also inviting unnecessary sympathy for Israel -- a state whose track record of violating international treaties and human rights abuses are perhaps as bad as most any autocratic regime in the Middle East.
We understand the source of Ahmadinejad's remarks. A mounting swell of frustration felt by many -- not just Muslims -- who see unchecked Zionist condescension and "Western" double standards as adverse to the rights of the Palestinian people.
It is an impulsive statement that verbally arises among all conscientious mortals in a heated moment of tension. However, it is also a remark quite unbecoming of a head of state. No rational state can support his unqualified remark.
Iranian officials have been quick to play down the remark, saying that Ahmadinejad did not mean to speak in such sharp terms. Nevertheless, a more forthcoming apology, if not already in the works, is certainly in order.
His remarks went beyond the limits of decorum and Israelis certainly deserve better treatment and respect. Unfortunately, Ahmadinejad's words also sounded a lot like the kind of religious prejudice that Zionist Israel itself is used to applying to its neighbors in the region.
If nothing else, Ahmadinejad's statement was a case of very bad timing. At a time when Tehran is being placed under the Anglo-American spotlight, it trips on the most innocuous of incidents.
We do not fully endorse everything that Tehran has been doing in terms of international relations. Much of the criticism from American and European capitals is well-founded. However, we also do not appreciate summarily "cornering" Iran the way it has evolved over the past few months.
As a result of a few mis-remarks, Ahmadinejad has given ammunition to detractors, who are already strategizing arguments to politically incapacitate this Middle Eastern state.
We find it somewhat insincere that countries like Israel immediately exploit this slip of the tongue to turn the tables on Iran.
"No member state that calls for violence, death and destruction, as the president of Iran did yesterday, deserves a seat in this civilized body -- the United Nations," Israel's UN envoy Dan Gillerman said in letters sent to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and the current president of the UN Security Council, Romanian Ambassador M. Motoc.
How ironic that Gillerman should be saying those things when it is the state of Israel that has a longer and more consistent rap sheet of violence, death and destruction against the Palestinians.
This is like the wolf crying "wolf!".
The world must not get sidetracked by a simplistic, vain comment to excuse further unilateral acts by major powers to further their own arrogant notions of the world.
Iran does not like Israel, that is no big secret and, unlike a superpower such as the United States, who will invade a country for no justifiable reason, we are confident that Tehran has no imminent intention to attack Israel. Anyone with common sense understands this.
The main issues at hand should be an equitable solution to nuclear talks with Iran, and the continued withdrawal of Israeli settlers from occupied lands for the ultimate goal of recognizing the Palestinian state.