Netanyahu to Boycott Ahmadinejad's U.N. Speech

The Associated Press

Israeli officials say Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will boycott the upcoming speech by the Iranian president at the U.N. General Assembly and encourage other leaders to do the same.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has repeatedly denied the Holocaust and called for Israel's destruction.

Israel's U.N. ambassador, Gabriella Shalev, says Israel is explaining to other countries "how dangerous this man is, how dangerous his country is, how dangerous the process of nuclear development is."

Shalev spoke to Army Radio on Tuesday. Netanyahu's aides confirmed he would boycott the speech. The U.S. and other countries believe Iran seeks to build nuclear weapons. Iran denies the charge.

Shalev said Netanyahu's own speech to the U.N. on Thursday will focus on Iran.