Jerusalem, Sep 25 (IANS): Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Tuesday ordered the Israeli delegation to boycott Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's speech at the UN General Assembly.
"The country's policies toward Israel have not changed" despite Iran electing a new president, Netanyahu was quoted as saying in a statement by Xinhua. He cited Rouhani's refusal last week to recognise the Holocaust as an historical fact.
Last year, the Israeli delegation boycotted the speech of Rouhani's predecessor Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at the same venue.
"The Israeli delegation will not attend their addresses at the (UN) General Assembly unless Iranian leaders recognise Israel's rights to exist," Netanyahu said a few hours ahead of the speech.
Israel alleges Iran is on a fast track to enrich uranium and use its centrifuges to make atomic bombs.