A Notable Clarification

Ordinarily in the West an expression of hatred for the common citizens of another country should wind up with a resignation. In Iran it's precisely the reverse.

TEHRAN — Iran’s supreme religious leader on Friday rejected the notion that his country was a friend to the Israeli people, but he also called on critics of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to stop using the issue to undermine him.

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Ayatollah Khamenei’s comments appeared to be a fresh sign of support for Mr. Ahmadinejad, who has come under increasing pressure for remarks by his vice president for tourism, Esfandiar Rahim Mashai, who said last month for a second time that Iran was a friend of the Israeli people.