The European Parliament,

–  having regard to the recent statements of the Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad,

–  having regard to Rule 103(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.  whereas these repeated and violent statements against the existence of the State of Israel constitute a serious threat to a sovereign State,

B.  whereas these threats run the risk of promoting violence and aggression against the State of Israel and its citizens at a crucial stage in the Middle East peace process,

C.  whereas these statements were followed by demonstrations against those states which had strongly and immediately condemned them,

D.  whereas these incredible threats can create a strong feeling of serious concern, especially if linked to the absence of confidence that Iran's nuclear energy programme is being developed exclusively for peaceful purposes,

1.  Strongly condemns these statements and calls on the Iranian President to withdraw these threats as soon as possible and officially apologise to the Israeli Government;

2.  Expresses its full solidarity with the State and people of Israel for this violent attack, perpetrated by the Iranian President;

3.  Calls on the Member States not to underestimate these statements but to evaluate their actual dangerous impact;

4.  Calls on the High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy and the President of the Commission to officially protest to the relevant Iranian authorities;

5.  Calls on the international community or the EU institutions to envisage the possibility of requesting eventual and appropriate economic and diplomatic sanctions if the President of Iran or the other Iranian high authorities persist in their violent attitude against the security of the State of Israel or of other states,

6.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, and the Government and Parliament of Iran.