Peres: Iran stands at center of world's violence and fanaticism

Iran is "at the center" of the world's "violence and fanaticism," President Shimon Peres told the UN General Assembly in New York on Wednesday.

"It built a danger to the entire world. Its quest for religious hegemony and regional dominance divides the Middle East and holds back chances for peace, while undermining human rights," he said. The president specified that the people of Iran are not Israel's enemies, but rather the Islamic Republic's "fanatic leadership," who he accused of developing nuclear weapons and spreading a "religion of fear."

He noted also the country's funding of terror organizations, saying "Iranian support for Hizbullah divided Lebanon. Its support for Hamas split the Palestinians and postpones the establishment of the Palestinian State."

Peres slammed Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's repeated questioning of the Holocaust, calling it "a mockery of indisputable evidence, a cynical offense to survivors of the horror."

The peace process of with the Palestinians was also brought up in his speech, where he expressed confidence that a "full peace" could be negotiated by the end of 2009. "We tried to conclude the negotiations this year. It will take longer. But, I believe it can be accomplished within the next year," he told the General Assembly.

Peres also called on Hamas to immediately release kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Schalit, claiming that "holding a hostage in Gaza determines its isolation and further deterioration."

The president ended his UN address with a quote by Rabbi Nachman of Breslav, and wished all a "Shana tova."
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