Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad last week reiterated his belief that the Jewish state is an illegitimate entity, thereby confirming in the minds of many his intention to facilitate the destruction of Israel.

In an interview with the CBS program 60 Minutes in Tehran, Ahmadinejad was asked if when he says he loves all nations Israel is included. The Iranian leader was to the point in his response: “Israel is not a nation.”

Ahmadinejad went on to claim he has no dispute with the residents of the “Zionist entity,” but that for a legitimate state to arise here, the land must first be flooded with millions of Arabs claiming to be “Palestinian” refugees and the entire population be given a vote.

Ahmadinejad pointedly refused to say he would accept and recognize Israel as the Jewish state even if the Palestinian Arabs signed a final status peace agreement that did so.

The Iranian president granted the interview just days before departing for the United States, where he is currently attending a United Nations session. He is also scheduled to address students at Columbia University.