The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America – the nation’s largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization – strongly condemns Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s speech at last week’s “World Without Zionism” conference in which Ahmadinejad declared that Israel is a “disgraceful blot” that should be “wiped off the face of the map.” These comments further illustrate why this isolated and despotic regime should never be allowed to threaten the free world with the specter of nuclear disaster. Such rhetoric deserves the strongest repudiation from all people of good will and the Union strongly applauds the State Department, European Union, United Nations – in particular, Secretary General Annan – and the many other governments worldwide that quickly spoke up to denounce the racist vitriol spouted before thousands of young minds. We remain deeply saddened by the deafening silence from the majority of the Arab world and their refusal to condemn such incendiary words and urge the both houses of Congress to consider the Iran Freedom and Support Act (H.R. 282 and S. 333).