IRAN, ISRAEL AND TRUTH

• First, some thoughts about his diatribes against the Holocaust.  I have addressed this topic before on Issues, but this thought focuses more on why he does it—i.e., why does he deny the Holocaust?  He lies for both domestic reasons within Iran and of course for foreign attention.  For centuries, the Arab Middle East has argued that the world’s Jews exaggerated the Holocaust to rationalize Israel’s formation and subsequent “brutalities” against the Palestinians.  Ahmadinejad has rekindled this old logic, and, with his smile and rhetoric, he is gaining adherents.  In September, he announced that the Iranian government would hold a conference on the holocaust in Teheran, with the intent of sharing “research” on the Holocaust.  No doubt that conference will include the world’s “scholars” who seek to refute the existence of the Holocaust.  Such absurdity is a cheap way for Iran to gain additional prestige among Muslims everywhere.  Ahmadinejad seeks to gain glory, respect and honor among the Muslims of the world, by legitimizing the party line among Muslims that goes back to the early 20th century.  A buffoon in sharp clothing, Ahmadinejad is a purveyor of lies to gain notoriety and fame.  Further, he seeks to energize a new generation of Muslims against Israel and the US.  What better way to energize that generation than telling the “Big Lie,” the same one Hitler used.  But one thing we do know for certain:  God is watching and Ahmadinejad will only go as far as God wishes him to go.

• Second, late last week, Ahmadinejad called Israel’s leaders “a group of terrorists,” after Israel’s prime minister warned Iran that it would have “a price to pay” if it does not roll back its nuclear program.  The rising tension signified by these remarks demonstrates the present volatility as the UN approaches a draft resolution on Iran’s nuclear program.  Indeed, Ahmadinejad has called the UN Security Council and its decisions “illegitimate” and has argued that the UN is but a tool of the US and Britain.  On “Al-Quds Day” (Arabic for Jerusalem), a national holiday in Iran to assert Muslim claims on the holy city, Ahmadinejad threatened any country that supports Israel, and said that the US and its allies had “imposed a group of terrorists” on the region by their support of the Jewish state.  He stated that “it is in your own interest to distance yourself from these criminals. . . This is an ultimatum.  Don’t complain tomorrow.  Nations will take revenge.”  (There is also growing evidence as well that Iran paid $50 million to Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal to block a deal that would have freed an Israeli soldier captured by Hamas-linked terrorists in June.)  In the same speech, on Al-Quds day, Ahmadinejad declared of Israel that “this regime, thanks to God, has lost the reason for its existence.  You should believe that this regime is disappearing.”  It has been quite some time since a major national leader in the Middle East has used such vitriolic rhetoric in public.  One must remember as well that Iran is seeking nuclear weapons and then the question becomes - will such rhetoric be followed by efforts to destroy Israel?  It is difficult to believe that Iran will not take that step with Ahmadinejad at the helm.  We are entering one of the most dangerous periods in the Middle East in recent history.  It is only our faith in the true God that gives Christians hope and confidence.

See The Economist (16 September 2006), pp. 37-38; and Ali Akbar Darfeini, The Washington Post, “Iranian Leader Threatens Israel’s Allies,” (20 October 2006).