Speaking of things people never said, try this one on for size:
“As the Imam said, Israel must be wiped off the map,” said Ahmadinejad, referring to Iran’s revolutionary leader Ayat Allah Khomeini.
That one is from Al-Jazeera: “Ahmadinejad: Wipe Israel off map.” Posted October 28, 2005.
Now compare this one:
Across the world, a dangerous rumor has spread that could have catastrophic implications. According to the legend, Iran’s President has threatened to destroy Israel, or, to quote the misquote, said that “Israel must be wiped off the map”. Contrary to popular belief, this statement was never made, as the following article will prove.
That one is also from Al-Jazeera: “The rumor of the century,” by Arash Norouzi. Posted January 19, 2007 (thanks to Doc Washburn).
In that piece, Norouzi attempts to debunk the common understanding of one statement Ahmadinejad made on October 25, 2005. But no one should be taken in by this. There is no word from Arash Norouzi on these other statements of Ahmadinejad:
“I say accomplishment of a world without America and Israel is both possible and feasible.”
“Soon all of Palestine will be liberated.”
“The world will be in the hands of Islam over the next few years.”