Iranian President Launches New Tirade Against Israel

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has again lashed out at Israel, accusing the Jewish state of using the Holocaust as a pretext for committing crimes against the Palestinians.

Mr. Ahmadinejad made the comment Friday in a speech to mark al-Quds day, when Iran holds its annual mass marches in solidarity with the Palestinians. Tens of thousands of Iranians turned out for the march in Tehran, chanting "Death to America" and "Death to Israel," and burning American and Israeli flags.

Mr. Ahmadinejad said Iran and other countries will not stop until all of the Palestinian territory is liberated. He also rejected holding talks on Iran's nuclear program, saying the Iranian people are not ready to discuss what he described as "their absolute nuclear rights."

The Iranian leader has previously called for Israel to be "wiped off the map," and has described the Holocaust as a "myth."

The United States and its allies accuse Iran of seeking a nuclear weapon, a charge Tehran denies.