Top Iran cleric chides Ahmadinejad aide over Israeli remarks

AFP, August, 2008

TEHRAN, (AFP) — A top Iranian cleric has chastised a leading aide to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad over his controversial remarks that Iranians are "friends with Israelis," the press reported on Tuesday.

Grand Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Shirazi questioned the competence of Esfandiar Rahim Mashaie to hold office over his comments, which sparked fury among conservative MPs, Islamist student groups and some clerics.

"There is no doubt that the Israeli regime and people are both against Islam and Muslims, occupying their lands... so how could we speak of friendship with them?" Marakem Shirazi was quoted ...