Holocaust a 'myth'

2005-12-23 08:12

Cairo - The leader of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood, the largest opposition force in the country, on Thursday joined Iran in calling the World War II Holocaust a "myth".

"Western democracy has attacked everyone who does not share the vision of the sons of Zion as far as the myth of the Holocaust is concerned," said Mohammed Mehdi Akef.

Akef's remarks come after similar comments by Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Ahmadinejad recently described the Holocaust as a "myth" and called for the Jewish state to be "wiped off the map". His comments sparked an international outcry.

Akef's comments have been published in a pamphlet decrying the United States and its ally, Israel, and come about two weeks after the banned but tolerated movement won a shock 20% of Egypt's parliamentary seats in the country's national elections.

'US imposes its will with tanks'

Akef said: "He who announces himself party to their alliance is a 'democrat' while he who opposes methods in the fight against terrorism is a 'terrorist'".

He blasted "this American democracy" for opening an international inquiry into the murder of Lebanese ex-premier Rafiq Hariri, saying it "drove a deeper divide between the Lebanese and Syrian people".

At the same time, said Akef, this same democracy saw no crime in the assassinations of Ahmed Yassin and Abdel Aziz Rantissi, leaders of the Palestinian movement Hamas killed by Israeli operations in 2004.

Akef also criticised the US for imposing its will "with tanks and Hummer" vehicles on the Iraqi people: "When Iraqis aim to defend their freedom, they are labelled as terrorists".

Earlier this month, Akef called Israel a "cancer" in the Middle East and said its peace treaty with Egypt should be held to a referendum.

He said the Muslim Brotherhood would not recognise Israel, calling it "an alien entity in the region".

- AFP