Tina Smith: “I rise today to register my outrage against a series of vehemently anti-Semitic comments made by Iranian President…”

“I rise today to register my outrage against a series of vehemently anti-Semitic comments made by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. These remarks, all of them vile and baseless, should be condemned by the Senate. Let me describe some of these remarks for the Record. At a conference in Tehran on October 26, President Ahmadinejad said, ``Israel must be wiped off the map . . . The Islamic world will not let its historic enemy live in its heartland.'' Then, on December 8, he continued his assault, saying ``Some European countries insist on saying that Hitler killed millions of innocent Jews in furnaces . . . Although we don't accept this claim . . . If the Europeans are honest they should give some of their provinces in Europe--like in Germany, Austria or other countries--to the Zionists and the Zionists can establish their state in Europe.'' And, just yesterday, President Ahmadinejad claimed that ``They have fabricated a legend under the name `Massacre of the Jews', and they hold it higher than God himself, religion itself and the prophets themselves'' Mr. President, I do not even know where to begin. Insidious rhetoric such as this is designed to do nothing other than stir hatred and incite hostility. I have walked the grounds at Auschwitz. I have seen the crematoria. To claim that one of the greatest tragedies in the history of humanity is merely a fabrication to advance a political agenda is simply beyond the pale.…”