The European Union has condemned recent remarks by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in which he called Israel "a cancerous tumor."
In an official statement released on Sunday, the EU said Rouhani's "remarks bringing into question Israel's legitimacy are totally unacceptable. They are also incompatible with the need to address international disputes through dialogue and international law.
"The European Union reiterates its fundamental commitment to the security of Israel, including with regard to current and emerging threats in the region."
In a speech to the annual International Islamic Unity Conference in Tehran earlier that day, Rouhani called Israel "a cancerous tumor created in the Middle East by the West after World War II in order to serve its own interests."
Rouhani also called on the leaders of Muslim countries to stand with Iran as it contends with reimposed U.S. economic sanctions following the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal.
"Surrender to the West, led by America, is a betrayal of our religion and future generations in the region," Rouhani said. "We have a choice: Roll out the red carpet for criminals, or stand against the injustice and remain loyal to our prophet, the Quran and Islam."
Rouhani also attacked U.S. Persian Gulf ally Saudi Arabia, which Iran is engaged in fighting in Yemen, saying, "We are prepared to protect our interests from the Saudis, and we will not ask $450 million to do it."
In response to Rouhani's comments, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "Israel knows very well how to protect itself from the murderous regime in Iran.
"Rouhani's slander, which calls for the destruction of Israel, proves yet again why the nations of the world need to join in the sanctions against the Iranian terrorist regime which threatens them."
