Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Israel

Exchanges between Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Israel have demonstrated a strained relationship. These exchanges have been characterized by contentious speeches and statements, including calls to "eliminate the Zionist regime". Ahmadinejad took part in a protest called "The World Without Zionism" and has derided Israel on numerous occasions. He has urged regional powers to cut diplomatic and economic ties with Israel and halt oil sales. Tensions have risen over Iran's nuclear program.

Ahmadinejad's remarks have been criticized by various world bodies and governments, including the United States, Canada, the European Union, and the United Nations.

In an interview on Iran's Arabic channel 'Al-Alam' on 8 December 2005, Ahmadinejad said that if Germany and Austria feel responsible for the massacre of Jews during World War II, they should host a state of Israel on their own soil. Speaking at a news conference on the summit sidelines, Ahmadinejad said most Jews in Israel "have no roots in Palestine, but they are holding the destiny of Palestine in their hands and allow themselves to kill the Palestinian people."

Saudi, Turkish and Iranian officials criticized Ahmadinejad's speech because it "marred a Mecca summit dedicated to showing Islam's moderate face".

On 11 December 2006, at the International Conference to Review the Global Vision of the Holocaust," a gathering of Holocaust deniers in Tehran, Ahmadinejad said: "Thanks to people's wishes and God's will the trend for the existence of the Zionist regime is [headed] downwards and this is what God has promised and what all nations want. The Zionist regime will be wiped out soon the same way the Soviet Union was, and humanity will achieve freedom."

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