This is one of the problems of framing the present conflict as a “war on terror.” Anyone can commit “terrorism.” But it is only jihadists, not Zionists or anyone else, who are committing violence in countries around the globe in the name of their totalitarian and expansionist ideology. From CNN, with thanks to Ted Robertson:
TEHRAN, Iran (CNN) — President Bush has no authority to accuse Iran of sponsoring terrorism while the U.S. supports “Zionist terrorists” and runs military prisons that use “torture,” Tehran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Sunday.
Spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi’s comments responded to last week’s State of the Union address by Bush, when he said: “Today, Iran remains the world’s primary state sponsor of terror — pursuing nuclear weapons while depriving its people of the freedom they seek and deserve.”
Asefi shot back accusations toward Washington, referring to Israel, alleged prisoner abuse at a U.S.-run prison in Iraq and treatment of detainees held as enemy combatants at the U.S. base in Cuba.
“The United States is supporting a Zionist terrorist group, but in order to combat terrorism, the United States must start within itself,” Asefi said. “The issues of the Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay prisons is a shame for the United States which will not be wiped out anytime soon.”