<P> Rahimi was widely condemned for his controversial remarks: </P> <Ul> <Li> European Union High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton called his remarks "unacceptable" and reaffirmed the European Union's "absolute commitment to combating racism and anti-Semitism ." Ashton went on to say that "the High Representative is deeply disturbed by racist and anti-Semitic statements made by Iranian First Vice President Mohammed Reza Rahimi at the U.N. International Day against Drug Abuse". </Li> <Li> The UN Secretary - General Ban Ki - moon issued a statement saying that he had "...on many occasions called on Iranian officials to refrain from these kinds of anti-Semitic statements...(and) believes it is the responsibility of leaders to promote harmony and understanding and he deeply regrets expressions of hatred and religious intolerance ." </Li> <Li> The Minister for Middle East in the UK Alastair Burt said "We condemn utterly the baseless comments from Iran's Vice-President Rahimi about the Talmud and the Jewish faith, made at a United Nations drugs control event in Tehran this week . Racism and anti-semitism are unacceptable in any circumstance, let alone at an event sponsored by the United Nations . We call upon Iran to correct this scandalous statement, and to ensure that its officials respect the proper international norms and standards in the future ." </Li> <Li> Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said that "Israel would not allow any Jew to be harmed ." </Li> </Ul> <Li> European Union High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton called his remarks "unacceptable" and reaffirmed the European Union's "absolute commitment to combating racism and anti-Semitism ." Ashton went on to say that "the High Representative is deeply disturbed by racist and anti-Semitic statements made by Iranian First Vice President Mohammed Reza Rahimi at the U.N. International Day against Drug Abuse". </Li> <Li> The UN Secretary - General Ban Ki - moon issued a statement saying that he had "...on many occasions called on Iranian officials to refrain from these kinds of anti-Semitic statements...(and) believes it is the responsibility of leaders to promote harmony and understanding and he deeply regrets expressions of hatred and religious intolerance ." </Li>

United nations office on drugs and crime 2017