AP
Kashmiri Shiite Muslim protesters shout anti-United States and anti-Israel slogans, as they burn an Israeli flag during a demonstration in Srinagar, India, yesterday. Dozens of people in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir demonstrated Friday in support of Palestine.

TEHRAN, Iran (AP):

Iran's hardline president called the existence of Israel an "insult to human dignity" yesterday during annual rallies in support of Muslim claims to the holy city of Jerusalem.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's remarks came as millions of Iranians held rallies across Iran to protest Israel's continued hold on Jerusalem, the city where Muslims believe Islam's Prophet Muhammad began his journey to heaven.

"The creation, continued existence and unlimited (Western) support for this regime is an insult to human dignity," Ahmadinejad said. "The occupation of Palestine is not limited to one land. The Zionist issue is now a global issue."

Demonstrations

Thousands also marked 'Al-Quds Day', Al-Quds being the Arabic name for Jerusalem, with demonstrations in Syria and Bahrain.

In the capital Tehran, hundreds of thousands of people poured into the streets as they chanted "Death to America" and "Death to Israel." Some protesters also burned American and Israeli flags.

State television reported similar large rallies in all other provincial capitals and smaller towns across Iran. Iran does not recognise Israel and regards Palestine as comprising the Jewish state as well as the West Bank and Gaza.

Israel-lashing comments

Ahmadinejad, known for his Israel-lashing comments, has called for Israel to be "wiped off the map." He has also called the Nazi Holocaust a "myth" used as a pretext for carving out a Jewish state in the heart of the Muslim world after World War II.

The Iranian president once again said Palestinians should not pay any price because Europeans committed crimes against Jews in World War II. He said they could give a part of their own land in Europe or Alaska so that the Jews can establish their country.

"I ask European governments supporting Zionists and the American people that will you allow occupation of part of your land under a pretext and then talk about a two-state solution?" Ahmadinejad said after the rallies.