In 2005, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad made headlines with a speech that, according to state-run media translations, included the phrase “Israel must be wiped off the map.” This statement ignited a firestorm of controversy and debate internationally, leading to widespread condemnation and further straining Iran’s already tense relations with the West. However, specialists like Juan Cole of the University of Michigan and Arash Norouzi of the Mossadegh Project have argued that this translation was inaccurate and misleading. They claim that the original Farsi statement did not contain the words ‘Israel,’ ‘map,’ or ‘to wipe off,’ suggesting a significant mistranslation and misinterpretation.
Context and Content
Ahmadinejad’s controversial remarks were made during a speech praising the Persian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomeini. According to the Persian state-run media translation, Ahmadinejad said, “Israel must be wiped off the map.” However, experts who have analyzed the original Farsi contend that the translation is not only inaccurate but also changes the meaning of his statement. The original phrase, they argue, suggested that Israel would collapse or vanish from the pages of time, rather than being actively destroyed.
