In pro-Palestinian rally, incoming Iranian president says 'Zionist regime has been a wound on body of the Islamic world for years'; Netanyahu: Comments reveal Rohani's true face.
Iran's new president has called Israel an "old wound" that should be removed in comments published just two days ahead of his inauguration.
Hasan Rohani's remarks about Israel - his country's archenemy - echo those of other Iranian leaders.
Iran's semi-official ISNA news agency said Rohani spoke after taking part in an annual "Quds Day" pro-Palestine rally in Tehran on Friday.
The report quoted Rohani as saying: "The Zionist regime has been a wound on the body of the Islamic world for years and the wound should be removed."
Rohani won a landslide victory in Iran's June 14 presidential election. He replaces Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Sunday.
Rohani has pledged to follow a "path of moderation" and promised greater openness over Iran's nuclear program, which has placed it at odds with the West.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the comments revealed the true face of Iran's president-elect, often considered a moderate reformer.
"Rohani has shown his true colors sooner than expected," Netanyahu said in Jerusalem.
"This is what the man thinks and it is the action plan of the Iranian regime," he said.
"There is a new president, but the goal of the regime has not changed - to develop nuclear weapons to threaten Israel, the Middle East and peace and security in the entire world."
Netanyahu added that a state that threatens Israel with annihilation should be prevented from acquiring any weapons of mass destruction.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/1.539410