ULTIMATUM ISSUED, FUN POKED

As most of you are probably aware, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad entertained the crowd at this year's Qods day rally by threatening Israel, America and Europe:

He repeated predictions that Israel would soon disappear but, in a fresh warning, said European countries could pay a much higher price than the US for their backing.

"We have advised the Europeans that the Americans are far away, but you are the neighbours of the nations in this region," he said. "We inform you that the nations are like an ocean that is welling up, and if a storm begins, the dimensions will not stay limited to Palestine, and you may get hurt. It is in your own interest to distance yourself from these criminals ... this is an ultimatum. Don't complain tomorrow."

The atmosphere at the rally was festive despite (or perhaps because of) Ahmadinejad's bluster:

Mr Ahmadinejad's outburst came amid a carnival atmosphere in which throngs of children carrying balloons milled among the crowds. Dozens swapped paintings depicting the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for T-shirts donated by Tehran city council.

A display of banners featured one bearing the phrase "Israel must be wiped off the map" in Hebrew. Others accused companies such as Coca-Cola, McDonald's, Nestlé and Marks and Spencer of being pro-Israel. A stall recruiting potential "martyrs" was selling CD-roms showing volunteers from the Palestinian militant organisation Hamas preparing suicide attacks against Israel.

To show that Ahmadinejad also has a lighter side the Guardian features an audio report from Tehran, the link titled "Ahmadniejad pokes fun at Zionist lobby." The fun gets poked when Ahmadinejad mocks the Zionist lobby for failing to organize effective demonstrations during his recent visit to New York. Not many people could pull off Islamofascist stand-up.