(Communicated by the Foreign Minister's Bureau)
"Ahmadinejad's speech at the UN demonstrates the absurd state of affairs of the organization whose founding motto was "Never Again". But, that is not even the worst of it. Iran is now asking to be included as a member of the UN Security Council. This is like allowing a criminal to be his own judge and jury.
"This is an unprecedented absurdity - for a state that is threatening the security of its neighbors and calling for the destruction of another state to be a member of the body whose goal is to maintain international peace and security.
"Iran is the subject of Security Council sanctions because it pursues a nuclear weapons program and supplies weapons to terrorist organizations, thereby violating numerous Security Council resolutions. Responsible countries cannot support Iran's membership in the body responsible for the implementation of those same sanctions.
"What is needed now is to apply international pressure on Iran which would leave no doubt as to the price involved in ignoring the demands of the international community - rather than including Iran in the very body that is spearheading this action."
FM Livni instructed Israel's diplomats abroad to make use of Ahmadinejad's speech in the efforts that have already begun to prevent Iran's membership in the Security Council.