Israel in Iran's sights -- again

If Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is not on Israel's payroll, he should be.

On Quds Day, when Iran officially mourns the loss of Jerusalem to Israel, the Iranian president repeated in media interviews Iran's determination to eradicate Israel.

Once a Palestinian state is established, he said, Israel will be eliminated and all its lands restored to Palestine. He did not mention what would happen to the Jewish inhabitants of the former Israel, but given Iran's treatment of its own religious minorities like the Baha'is, it's not a happy thought to dwell on.

Ahmadinejad's periodic versions of "wiping Israel off the map" could be dismissed as his usual rote ravings, except that Palestine has high hopes for laying the groundwork for an independent state at next month's meeting of the United Nations.

Palestine had planned to get a resolution before the U.N. Security Council. But the U.S. has said it would veto any such resolution, citing the continuing presence of Hamas in Gaza and the Palestinians' refusal to restart peace talks with Israel.

However, the Palestinians are talking about making an end run around the council and going directly to the U.N. General Assembly, where, although it would be nonbinding, an independence resolution would have a decent chance of passage.

An overwhelming vote of support would go a long way toward legitimizing an incipient Palestinian state and building support for international recognition whether or not there is a final agreement with Israel. Congress says it would also cost Palestinians all or part of their $450 million annual aid from the U.S.

But Ahmadinejad's incendiary and murderous rhetoric may make some wavering nations think twice about endorsing a resolution of independence, and those who do quietly resolve to do nothing to bring it about.

The Mideast nations are keenly aware that Ahmadinejad, safely insulated from Israel by Turkey, Syria, Iraq, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, is in essence only offering to hold the Palestinians' coat if they get into a fight with Israel.

Talk has always been cheap in the Mideast. Ahmadinejad's may be the cheapest.

Source: Boston Herald